JESUS  IS  COMING 

-  /^          .  \ 


By  W.  E.  B. 


"Seek  ye  out  oi  the  bock  of  the  Lord  and  read."—  Isaiah  xxxiv:  16. 


(Presentation  Edition) 

Translations  into  25  Languages 
Total  Issues  886,000 


Chicago,  New  York,  Toronto 

Fleming  H.  Revell 
Company 

London  and  Edinburgh 


Moody  Bible  Institute 
of  Chicago 

153-163  Institute  Place 


PRESENTATION  COPY 


*TT*  HE  honored  author  of  this  book  has  com- 
missioned the  Moody  Bible  Institute  of  Chicago 
to  send  copies  gratuitously  to  ministers  missionaries  and 
theological  students,  especially  in  his  own  dearly-loved 
bfeLiodist  Episcopal  Church.  For  sixty-four  years  he 
has  been  a  member  of  that  church,  and  for  a  good  part 
of  the  time  one  of  its  most  fruitful  local  preachers. 
How  the  Lord  has  used  him  in  its  activities  at  home 
and  abroad  will  mafye  a  rich  chapter  in  its  history  when 
the  record  of  these  years  is  set  down. 

If  extent  of  travel,  fidelity  to  the  Bible,  lucidity  in 
its  exposition,  and  enthusiasm  for  preaching  the  Gospel 
"to  the  Jew  first  and  also  to  the  Gentile"  are  a  criterion, 
then  Mr.  Blacfystone  must  be  counted  among  the  first 
of  missionaries  in  the  generation  to  which  he  belongs. 
The  story  of  the  circulation  of  the  Word  of  God  and 
other  devotional  literature  under  his  personal  super- 
vision in  China  and  other  heathen  lands,  is  more 
fascinating  than  any  romance.  A  truly  wonderful 
ministry  has  been  his. 

The  book  speaks  for  itself.  Its  treasures  are  beyond 
estimate.  Its  careful  and  prayerful  reading  and  study 
will  bring  the  richest  blessing  to  the  soul. 

JAMES  M.CRAY. 
Chicago,  October,  1916. 

Copyright   1908,   Fleming   H.    Revell   Company 


APPRECIATIVE  COMMENDATIONS 


The  book,  "Jesus  is  Coming,"  by  W.  E.  B£  was  the 
first  book  that  made  the  coming  of  Jesus  Christ  a  liv- 
ing reality  to  me.  I  had  already  become  convinced 
that  our  Lord's  coming  would  be  before  the  millennium, 
having  reached  that  conclusion  in  studying  the  works 
of  the  Danish  theologian,  Martensen,  but  it  was  merely 
a  theological  conception  until  I  read  the  book  "Jesus 
is  Coming."  It  was  this  that  first  brought  me  to  definite  con- 
victions  and  made  the  doctrine  not  only  clear,  but  very  pre- 
cious. It  is  one  of  the  books  that  has  had  a  decidedly  form- 
ative influence  on  my  life  and  teaching.  I  always  recommend 
it  to  those  who  are  beginning  the  study  of  the  subject. 
I  hope  that  it  may  be  as  much  blessed  to  others  as  it  has 
been  to  me. 

R.  A.  TORREY. 
Dean,   Bible  Institute  of  Los  Angeles,  Cat. 


\ 

A  number  of  years  ago  I  had  placed  in  my  hands  the 
little  book,  "Jesus  is  Coming,"  by  W.  E.  B.  Prior  to  that  time 
I  had  no  defined  method  of  Bible  study,  and  I  confess  with 
shame  that  I  had  very  little  passion  for  Bible  reading  and  for 
'he  winning  of  souls. 

This  book  completely  revolutionized  my  thinking,  gave 
me  a  new  conception  of  Christ  and  a  new  understanding  of 
what  it  meant  to  work  for  Him.  I  most  cordially  commend 
it  to  Christian  workers  everywhere. 

J.  WILBUR  CHAPMAN, 


See  Additional  Testimonials  on  Pige  246 


To  my  Brethren  in 
The  Christian  Ministry, 
Dearly  Beloved: 

Having  found  in  over  forty  years'  experience  the  "Blessed 
Hope"  of  our  Lord's  return  to  be  a  most  precious  influence 
in  my  Christian  life,  promoting  holiness,  consecration  of  time 
and  substance,  and  intense  activity  in  our  Master's  service,  I 
humbly  commend  it  to  each  of  you  for  personal  comfort,  and 
as  meat  in  due  season  to  preach  to  your  congregations. 

Let  me  emphasize  the  plain  exhortations  of  the  Holy  Spirit, 
• — "These  things  speafy"  Titus  2:15;  "Comfort  one  another 
with  these  words"  \  Thes.  4:18. 

Oh!  Brethren!  There  are  tens  of  thousands  sitting  under 
your  ministry  who  would  be  comforted  by  the  simple  testimony 
of  the  Scriptures  on  this  all  important  subject. 

ThanJf  Cod  there  are  many  f^ho  do  exalt  this  truth,  but 
how  it  must  grieve  the  Master  to  see  the  multitude  of  preachers 
who  are  indifferent  to  his  promised  return,  and  eliminate  the 
"comfort"  which  he  has  commanded  and  which  the  masses 
need. 

Thirty-nine  years  ago  I  was  providentially  led  to  issue  the 
first  edition  of  "Jesus  Is  Coming,"  which  has  been  followed 
by  numerous  editions  totaling  over  three  hundred  and  fifty 
thousand  copies  with  translations  into  twenty-five  different 
languages  encircling  the  world. 

Most  rapturously  do  I  praise  our  coming  Bridegroom  that 
he  has  let  his  "errand  boy"  have  so  wide  a  testimony. 

With  all  my  heart  in  this  my  seventy-sixth  year  do  I  im- 
plore you  to  read  this  book-  Many  have  testified  that 
it  has  made  the  Bible  a  new  booff  to  them.  May  it  be  so  to 
you,  and  may  we  all,  some  day,  rejoice  together  with  Luther, 
Melanchthon,  Calvin,  Knox,  and  the  Wesleys,  singing 
Charles'  beautiful  hymns  as  a  welcome  to  our  descending 
Lord. 

Yours  in  patient  waiting. 

5425  Pasadena  Ave.,  WM.  E.  BLACKSTONE. 

Los  Angeles,  Cal,  Jan.,  1917. 

Acknowledgment  of  receipt  of  book  mailed  to  above  address 
will  be  appreciated. 

If  you  already  have  a  copy  kindly  pass  this  on  to  one  to  whom 
you  think  it  may  be  helpful. 


THE  SECOND  ADVENT 

Lo!    He  comes,  with  clouds  descending, 

Once  for  favored  sinners  slain; 
Thousand  thousand  saints  attending, 

Swell  the  triumph  of  his  train; 
Hallelujah! 

God  appears  on  earth  to  reign. 

Every  eye  shall  now  behold  him 

Eobed  in  dreadful  majesty; 
Those  who  set  at  naught  and  sold  him, 

Pierced  and  nailed  him  to  the  tree, 
Deeply  wailing 

Shall  the  true  Messiah  see.     . 

All  the  tokens  of  his  passion 

Still  his  dazzling  body  bears, 
Cause  of  endless  exultation 

To  his  ransomed  worshipers; 
With  what  rapture 

Gaze  we  on  those  glorious  scars. 

Tea,  Amen!  let  all  adore  thee, 

High  on  thy  eternal  throne; 
Savior,  take  the  power  and  glory; 
Claim  the  kingdom  for  thine  own: 

Jah !   Jehovah ! 
Everlasting  God,  come  down! 

— Charles  Wesley. 


Preface  to  the  Third  Revision. 


We  dedicate  this  book  to  those  who  "love  our  Lord's 
appearing."  It  has  been  our  prayerful  desire  to  furnish,  in 
abbreviated  form,  a  hand  book  that  might  serve  as  a  con- 
venient reference  in  the  study  of  this  truth,  and  as  an  aid 
in  the  presentation  of  it  to  others. 

We  gratefully  acknowledge  the  blessing  of  God,  which  has 
rested  upon  it  so  that  it  has  passed  through  many  editions 
and  also  been  issued  in  twelve  foreign  languages.*  We  have 
no  desire  for  controversy,  but  have  only  sought  to  testify 
our  convictions  regarding  the  scriptural  importance  of  this 
subject,  and  to  aid  candid  inquirers  in  obtaining  "like 
precious  faith  with  us."  After  continued,  earnest  and 
prayerful  study,  we  are  more  than  ever  confirmed  in  the 
faith  that  Christ's  coming  will  be  pre-millennial,  and  this 
all  important  point  we  would  emphasize,  if  possible,  with 
the  zeal  and  earnestness  manifested  by  the  early  disciples, 
who  repeatedly  taught  us  to  look  for  Jesus.  Phil.  3:20;  Tit. 
2:13;  Heb.  9:28;  2  Pet.  3:14. 

We  would  not  be  dogmatic  concerning  the  order  of  events 
which  cluster  about  our  Lord's  return  and,  should  any  hold 
views  different  from  what  we  have  set  forth  as  the  result 
of  our  study,  we  will  cordially  strike  hands  with  them  if  we 
may  unite  upon  the  great  fact  that  His  return  will  be  pre- 
miilennial  and  that  the  time  of  it  is  uncertain  and  imminent 
(Matt.  24:42);  and  further  that  this  hope  ("Blessed  Hope," 
Tit.  2:13)  begets  a  purifying  separating  power  in  the  heart, 
winning  us  unto  holiness,  love  and  service. 

"And  the  very  God  of  peace  sanctify  you  wholly;  and  I 
pray  God  your  whole  spirit  and  soul  and  body  be  preserved 
blameless  unto  the  coming  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ." 

"Faithful  is  He  that  calleth  you,  who  also  will  do  it." 
1  Thes.  5:23-24. 

For  the  kind  criticism  and  helpful  suggestions  of  breth- 
ren dearly  beloved — we  express  our  sincere  thanks,  and  we 
humbly  pray  for  the  continued  blessing  of  "the  Coming 
One."  W.  E.  B. 

*  Now  twenty-five   foreign  languages. 

(5) 


CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER  I.  Page 

Jvavs  is  COMING 11 

"I  don't  care  anything  about  it! " 12 

The  true  incentive  to  a  holy  life 14 

"Oh,  that's  Second  Adventism" 15 

"It  don't  concern  me,"  etc 16 

Its  Importance  in  the  Word — Practical 17,  116 

Forty  statements  showing  its  practical  character..  .180 

We  are  not  "speculating" 19 

CHAPTER  II. 

LITERARY  INTERPRETATION — Luke,  1 : 31-33   20 

Conversation  between  a  Christian  and  a  Jew 20 

Symbols,  figures  and  allegories 21 

"Spiritualizing"  subverts  the  authority  and  power 

of  the  Word,  and  saps  the  foundation  of  every 

Christian  doctrine — Purpose  of  language 22 

Prophecies  literally  fulfilled  at  His  first  coming 23 

Prophecies   to  be   literally  fulfilled  at  His  second 

coming  24 

CHAPTER  III. 

His  COMING  DOES  NOT  MEAN  DEATH 26 

Death  is  an  enemy 26 

It   will   not  apply   in    Scripture  referring   to   His 

coming 28 

Intermediate  state  of  the  dead 29 

Dr.  David  Brown's  testimony 30 

Substituting   death   for   His   coming   degrades    the 

doctrine  of  the  resurrection 31 

We  are  not  taught  to   watch   for  death,   but  for 

Christ's  Coming — Search  the  Scriptures 31 

CHAPTER  IV. 

THE  THREE  APPEABINGS 33 

His  departure  and  His  promise 34 

The  Lord's  Supper,  a  token 34 

The  very  Pole  Star  of  the  Church 35 

Believed  by  the  Fathers,  and  its  History 35,  66 

Origen  and  his  "spiritualizing"  error 36 


CONTENTS.  7 

CHAPTER  V.  page 

THE  MILLENNIUM 37 

CHAPTER  VI. 

POST-MlLLENNIALISM    41 

The  principal  question, — Is  the  coming  to  be  Pre- 
Millennial  or  Post-Millennial? 41 

CHAPTER  VII. 

AWJUMENTS  SHOWING  THE  COMING  TO  BE  PBE-MILLENNIAL — 

No.  1.     Antichrist  43 

No.  2.     Immediately  after  the  Tribulation 43 

No.  3.     Persecuted  Church 44 

No.  4.     Tares  and  Wheat 44 

No.  5.    Literal  Reign  of  Christ 46 

No.  6.  Argument  from  Order  of  the  Resurrection . .  47 
Order  of  the  Resurrection,  1  Cor.  15 : 22-26 . .  48 
Dead  in  Christ  rise  first,  1  Thes.  4:13-17...  48 
The  First  Resurrection,  Rev.  20:4-14. ..  .48,  62 

His  Coming  Before  the  Millennium 49 

Objections  to  literal  first  resurrection  con- 
sidered— 

1.  No  right  thus  to  aggregate  texts ...  50 

2.  Only  souls  mentioned  in  Rev.  20:4..  50 

3.  Spiritual  life  in  Paradise 52 

4.  Only  the  beheaded  mentioned,  etc...  52 

5.  Last  day,  =  1000  years 54 

6.  Mentioned   in  same  verse,  therefore 

just  and  unjust  rise  simultaneously  55 

7.  Only  one  passage 57 

Dean  Alford's  comment 58 

Resurrection  from  the  Dead 59 

Argument  from  the  Greek  text 59 

No.  7.    Watching 63 

Continue  to  Watch— "A  Little  While" 65 

The  Faith  of  the  Early  Church 66 

Hold    the    traditions    (teachings),    2    Thes. 

2:15 — Apostles  not  mistaken 69 

Early  Christians  did  not  hold  false  hope. . .  69 

We  must  watch  as  they  did 70 


8  JESUS  IS  COMING. 

CHAPTER  VIII.  Page 

DIAGRAM — OUTLINE  OF  EVENTS,  AND  EXPLANATIONS 72 

CHAPTER  W.. 

THJE  RAPTURE  AND  THE  REVELATION  DISTINGUISHED 75 

CHAPTER  X. 

THE  CHURCH  AND  THE  MILLENNIAL  KINGDOM  DISTINGUISHED  83 
The  Church — A  distinct  body  (eKKX^om    Assembly) .   83 

A  Mystery,  89;   A  Virgin  of  Sorrow  90 

To  be  rewarded 93 

The  Kingdom  is  the  manifestation  cf  the  glory  of 

Christ  and  His  saints 83 

Its  manifestation  is  still  future 84 

It  is  now  hid  in  mystery 86 

Explanation  of  its  coming  "nigh"  or  being  "at 

hand"  when  Christ  came 88 

Nominal  Christians  94 

The  True  Church — The  Body  of  Christ 95 

The  Bride  of  Christ 96,  202 

CHAPTER  XI. 
THE  TRIBULATION,  THE  RESURRECTION  AND  THE  JUDGMENT.  98 

The  Resurrection 99 

Four  Judgments   103 

CHAPTER  XII. 

THE  ANTICHRIST  107 

CHAPTER  XIII. 

THE  PRINCIPAL  EVENT 113 

The  Pre-Millennial  Coming 113 

Post-Millennial  Questionings 113 

Pre-  vs.  PoslrMillennialism 114 

Preach  the  Word — Comfort  One  Another 115 

Solemn  Warning 116 

Pre-Millennialism,   Vital   and   Inspiring 116 

CHAPTER  XIV. 
SOME  OBJECTIONS  CONSIDERED. 

No.  1.     It   discourages  Missions US 

No.  2.     It  discourages  Work 119 

No.  3.     Too  many  unsaved  friends 119 

No.  4.     "My  kingdom  is  not  of  this  world" 120 

No.  5.     "The  Kingdom  of  God  is  within  you" 17 


CONTENTS.  9 

Page 
No.  6.    "The    Kingdom   of   God   is  not   meat    and 

drink"   124 

No.  7.    "Flesh  and  blood  cannot  inherit  the  King- 
dom," etc 125 

No.  8.    It  disparages  the  work  of  the  Holy  Spirit.. 129 

No.  9.     It  makes  the  Gospel  a  failure 131 

No.  10.  The  Gospel  not  preached  in  all  the  world . .  132 

When  the  Witness  is  complete 133 

Only  God  Knows 134 

No.  11.  "There  be  some  standing  here,"  Mat.  16: 28..  135 

"Spiritual"  Coming,   "Typical"   Coming 135 

Some  of  them  did  see  the  Kingdom 138 

Peter  saw  it 139 

John  saw  it — Paul  saw  it 140 

"Ye  shall  not  have  gone  over  the  cities  of 

Israel."  Mat.  10:23 141 

No.  12.  Gloomy  view  of  the  future 142 

"The  days  are  evil"  144 

Cannot  average  Church  and  World 145 

Triumphs  of  Art  and  Science  do  not  argue 

an  increase  in  Godliness 147 

The  World  not  Growing  Better 148 

Civilization  and  Refinement  not  the  source 

of  Holiness  150 

Is  the  Church  Progressing? 151 

The  Light  and  the  Salt  of  the  World 151 

Loosing  the  Saltness   152 

The  Parables  of  Mat.  13 152 

The  Faithful  Remnant  156 

No.  13.  Cruel  to  the  unsaved  millions 158 

This  World  dies  every  33  years 158 

No.  14.  Israel — the    generation    which    passes    not 

away   160 

CHAPTER  XV. 

ISRAEL  TO  BE  RESTOEED 162 

The  Second  Time ' 167 

Permanent  Restoration    169 

All  Nations  shall  flow  unto  Israel 169 

They  shall  "Lock  upon  Me" 170 


10  JESUS  IS  COMING. 

Page 

The  Cleansing  of  Israel  171 

Confusing  Israel  with  the  Church 172 

The  Day  of  Jacob's  Trouble 174 

CHAPTER  XVI. 

THE  STUDY  OF  PROPHECY 177 

The  best  weapon  to  meet  Sophistry  and  Skepticism.  17 9 

CHAPTER  XVII. 
A  PRACTICAL  DOCTRINE 180 

CHAPTER  XVIII. 

OUTLINE  OF  THE  ORDEB  OF  EVENTS 183,  195 

References  to  Principal  Passages 196 

CHAPTER  XIX. 

ANATHEMA  OR  COMFORT 199 

Jesus  Christ  Coming  in  the  Flesh \  200 

The  Sweetest  Comfort 201 

CHAPTER  XX. 

THE  TIME , 207 

The  Jews  Returning 210 

Watchman,  What  of  the  Night? 213 

CHAPTER  XXI. 

PLAN  OF  THE  AIONS  (AGES) 218 

The  Time  of  the  End 224 

Diagram  225 

CHAPTER  XXII. 

SIGNS  OF  CHRIST'S  SPEEDY  COMING 228 

•1.    The  Prevalence  of  Travel  and  Knowledge. .  .228 

2.  Perilous  Times  230 

3.  Spiritualism   231 

4.  Apostacy  231 

5.  World  Wide  Evangelism  232 

6.  Rich  Men  .234 

7.  Israel   234 

8.  Zionism  236 

Watch  .- 242 

Ye  Shall  be  Witnesses 243 

Missionary  Periodicals   244 

Appreciative  Commendations    3,  246 

Textual  Index   249 


Jesus  is  Coming. 


CHAPTER  I. 

Jesus  is  Coming  Again. 

Reader,  do  you  know  that  Jesus  is  coming  again? 

He  said,  "I  will  come  again"  (John  14:3)  and  His  word 
endureth  forever,1  for  He  is  the  truth.2 

The  angels  said  He  would  come  again.  "The  same  Je- 
sus," "and  in  like  manner,"3  and  they  were  not  mistaken 
when  they  announced  His  first  coming.* 

The  Holy  Spirit,  by  the  mouth  of  the  apostles,  hath  re- 
peatedly said  He  would  come  again.5  Is  not  such  an  event, 
stated  upon  such  authority,  of  vital  importance  to  us? 


(1)  1    Pet.    1:25.       But     the 
word   of    the   Lord    endureth   for 
ever.       And    this    Is    the    word 
which  by  the  gospel  is  preached 
unto   you. 

(2)  John   14 :6.      Jesus    saith 
unto    him,    I    am    the    way,    the 
truth,     and    the    life :     no    man 
cometh  unto  the  Father,  but  by 
me. 

(3)  Acts    1:11.      Which    also 
said,    Ye    men    of    Galilee,    why 
stand  ye  gazing  up  into  heaven? 
this  same  Jesus,  which  is  taken 
up   from  you   into   heaven,   shall 
so   come    in    like   manner   as    ye 
have    seen    him   go    into   heaven. 

(4)  Lu.    1:26.       And    in    the 
sixth    month    the    angel    Gabriel 
was   sent   from   God  unto   a  city 
of    Galilee,    named   Nazareth, 

27.  To    a    virgin    e&poused    to 
a  man  whose  name  was   Joseph, 
of  the  house  of  David ;   and  the 
virgin's    name    was    Mary. 

28.  And    the    angel    came    In 
unto    her,    and    said,    Hail    thou 
that    art    highly    favoured,    the 
Lord   is   with   thee :    blessed   art 
thou  among  women. 

30.  And  the  angel  said  unto 


her,    Fear   not,    Mary :    for   thou 
hast    found    favour    with    God. 

31.  And,    behold,     thou    shalt 
conceive     in      thy     womb,      and 
bring  forth  a  son,  and  shalt  call 
his   name    JESUS. 

32.  He    shall    be    great,     and 
shall    be    called    the    Son    of   the 
Most   High ;    and   the    Lord    God 
shall   give   unto   him   the   throne 
of  his  father  David. 

33.  And    he    shall    reign    over 
the  house  of  Jacob  for  ever  and 
of   his    kingdom    there   shall    b« 
no  end. 

See  also  Lu.  2  :8-18. 

(5)  1  Thes.  4:16.  For  tha 
Lord  himself  shall  descend  from 
heaven  with  a  shout,  with  the 
voice  of  the  archangel,  and  with 
the  trump  of  God  :  and  the  dead 
in  Christ  shall  rise  first : 

Heb.  9 :28.  So  Christ  was 
once  offered  to  bear  the  sins  of 
many ;  and  unto  them  that  look 
for  him  shall  he  appear  the 
second  time  without  sin  unto 
salvation. 

Heb.  10:37.  For  yet  a  little 
while,  and  he  that  shall  come 
will  coine,  and  will  not  tarry. 


(11) 


12 


JESUS  IS  COMING. 


At  His  first  coming,  the  world  rejected  Him.  He  was  the 
despised  Nazarene.  But  when  He  comes  again,  He  will  ap- 
pear as  "the  blessed  and  only  Potentate,  the  King  of  Kings 
and  Lord  of  Lords."6 

He  is  coming  to  sit  upon  the  throne  of  His  glory,7  and 
to  be  admired  in  all  them  that  believed,8  and  to  rule,  in 
judgment  and  equity,  all  the  nations  of  the  earth.9 

How  glorious  it  will  be  to  see  the  King  in  His  beauty.10 

Perhaps  you  are  not  a  Christian,  and  say— 

"I  Don't  Care  Anything  About  It." 

Then,  dear  friend,  we  point  you  to  the  crucified  Savior  as 
the  only  hope  of  salvation. 

We  beg  of  you  to  ''kiss  the  Son,"  lest  ye  perish  from  the 
way.  Blessed  are  all  they  that  put  their  trust  in  Him.11 
What  shall  it  profit  you  if  you  gain  the  whole  world  and 


(6)  1  Tim.  6 :13.    I  give  thee 
charge  in  the  sight  of  God,  who 
quickeneth  all  things,  and  before 
Christ 

14.  That  thou  keep  this  com- 
mandment    without     spot,      un- 
rebukeable,     until     the     appear- 
ing   of   our    Lord    Jesus    Christ : 

15.  Which    in    his    times    he 
shall    shew,    who   is    the   blessed 
and  only  Potentate,  the  King  of 
kings,   and  Lord  of  lords. 

(7)  Mat.    25:31.      When    the 
Son    of   man   shall    come   in    his 
glory,    and    all    the    holy    angels 
with  him,  then  shall  he  sit  upon 
the  throne   of  his  glory. 

(8)  2  Thes.  1:10.     When  he 
shall  come  to  be  glorified  in  his 
saints,  and  to  be  admired  in  all 
them   that   believe    (because   our 
testimony    among    you    was    be- 
lieved)   in  that  day. 

(9)  Psa.     2 :9.       Thou     shalt 
break  them  with  a  rod  of  iron ; 
thou   shalt   dash  them  in   pieces 
like  a  potter's  vessel. 

Isa.  9  :6.  For  unto  us  a  child 
Is  born,  unto  us  a  son  is  given : 
and  the  government  shall  be 
upon  his  shoulder :  and  his 
name  shall  be  called  Wonderful, 
Counsellor,  The  Mighty  God, 


The  Everlasting  Father,  The 
Prince  of  Peace. 

7.  Of  the  increase  of  his  gov- 
ernment and  peace  there  shall 
~be  no  end,  upon  the  throne  of 
David,  and  upon  his  kingdom, 
to  order  it,  and  to  establish  it 
with  judgment  and  with  justice 
from  henceforth  even  for  ever. 
The  zeal  of  the  Lord  of  hosts 
will  perform  this. 

Rev.  2 :25.  But  that  which 
ye  have  already,  hold  fast  till 
I  come. 

26.  And    he    that    overcometh, 
and  keepeth  my  works  unto  the 
end,    to    him   will    I    give    power 
over  the  nations : 

27.  And    he    shall    rule    them 
with  a   rod  of  iron ;  as  the  ves- 
sels   of    a    potter    shall    they    be 
broken    to    shivers :    even    as    I 
received  of  my  Father. 

(10)  Isa.    33 :17.      Thine  eyes 
shall  see  the  King  in  his'  beauty  ; 
they   shall   behold   the  land   that 
is   very   far   off. 

(11)  Psa.    2:12.        Kiss      the 
Son,    lest   he    be    angry,    and    ye 
perish   from  the   way,    when   his 
wrath    is    kindled    but    a    little. 
Blessed    are    all    they    that    put 
their  trust  in  him. 


"EIB8  THE  SON." 


13 


lose  your  own  soul?12  He  is  coming,  and  we  know  neither 
the  day,  nor  the  hour,  when  He  may  come.13  What  it  Ho 
should  come  now?  Would  you  be  found  of  Him  in  peace,14 
or  would  you  be  left  behind  to  endure  the  terrible  things 
which  shall  come  upon  the  world,15  while  the  church  is  with 
Christ  in  the  air,16  and  be  made  at  His  appearing17  to 
mourn18  and  pray  to  the  mountains  and  rocks  to  hide  you 
from  His  face?19 

"Prepare  to  meet  thy  God,"  was  the  solemn  injunction  to 
Israel  (Amos  4:12),  and  every  one  of  us,  both  Jew  and 
Gentile,  must  meet  Him,  either  in  grace  or  in  judgment. 

We,  then,  as  ambassadors  for  Christ,  beseech  you:  be  ye 


(12)  Mat.    16:26.      For    what 
is    a    man    profited,    if    he    shall 
gain   the   whole   world,   and   lose 
his   own   soul?   or   what   shall    a 
man    give    in    exchange    for    his 
soul? 

27.  For  the  Son  of  man  shall 
come  in  the  glory  of  his  Father 
with  his  angels ;  and  then  he 
shall  reward  every  man  accord- 
ing to  his  works. 

(13)  Mat.     25:13.        Watch 
therefore ;    for    ye    know   neither 
the    day    nor    the    hour    wherein 
the    Son    of    man    cometh. 

(14)  2    Pet.     3:14.     Where- 
fore, beloved,  seeing  that  ye  look 
for  such  things,  be  diligent  that 
ye    may    be    found    of    him    in 
peace,   without  spot,   and  blame- 
less. 

(15)  Luke  21:25.     And  there 
shall    be    signs   in   the   sun,    and 
in   the  moon,    and   in  the   stars ; 
and    upon    the   earth    distress    of 
nations,  with  perplexity ;  the  sea 
and   the  waves   roaring ; 

26.  Men's  hearts  failing  them 
for  fear,  and  for  looking  after 
those  things  which  are  coming 
on  the  earth :  for  the  powers 
of  heaven  shall  be  shaken. 

(16)  Luke   21:36.      Watch  ye 
therefore,   and  pray  always,  that 
ye  may  be  accounted  worthy  to 
escape     all     these     things     that 
shall  come  to  pass,  and  to  stand 
before   the   Son   of   man. 


1  Thes.  4:17.  Then  we  which 
are  alive  and  remain  shall  be 
caught  up  together  with  them 
in  the  clouds,  to  meet  the  Lord 
in  the  air :  and  so  shall  we  ever 
be  with  the  Lord. 

(17)  2  Thes.  1:7.  And  to  you 
who    are   troubled    rest   with    us, 
when    the    Lord    Jesus    shall    be 
revealed    from    heaven    with    his 
mighty  angels, 

8.  In  flaming  flre  taking  ven- 
geance  on    them    that   know    not 
God,  and  that  obey  not  the  gos- 
pel of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ : 

9.  Who  shall  be  punished  with 
everlasting   destruction  from  the 
presence  of  the   Lord,   and  from 
the  glory  of  his  power  ; 

10.  When  he  shall  come  to  ba 
glorified    in    his    saints,    and    to 
be  admired  in  all  them  that  be- 
lieve     (because     our     testimony 
among     you     was     believed)     in 
that  day. 

(18)  Mat.    24:30.      And   then 
shall  appear  the  sign  of  the  Son 
of    man    in    heaven :     and    then 
shall  all  the  tribes  of  the  earth 
mourn,    and    they    shall    see    the 
Son     of     man     coming     in     the 
clouds  of  heaven  with  power  and 
great  glory. 

(19)  Rev.  6:16.     And  said  to 
the    mountains    and    rocks,    Fall 
on  us,  and  hide  us  from  the  face 
of     him     that     sitteth     on     the 
throne,    and   from   the   wrath   of 
the  Lamb. 


JESUS  18  COMING. 


reconciled  to  God,20  now,  in  the  accepted  time,  in  the  day 
of  salvation.21  Do  let  us  entreat  you  to  repent  and  be 
converted,  that  your  sins  may  be  blotted  out,22  and  that 
you  may  turn  "to  serve  the  living  and  true  God,  and  to 
wait  for  his  Son  from  Heaven,"23  and  be  unblamable  at  the 
coming  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ.24 

But  if  you  are  a  Christian,  then  we  point  you  to  Hia 
coming  again,  as 

The  True  Incentive  to  a  Holy  Life.25 
Jesus  is  coming,  therefore  mortify  your  members  which 


(20)  2  Cor.   5:20.     Now  then 
we   are   ambassadors   for   Christ, 
as   though   God   did   beseech   you 
by  us :  we  pray  you  in   Christ's 
stead,  be  ye  reconciled  to  God. 

(21)  2    Cor.    6:2.       (For    he 
saith,    I    have   heard   thee   in   a 
time    accepted,    and    in    the    day 
of    salvation    have    I    succoured 
thee :    behold,    now    is    the    ac- 
cepted time ;   behold,  now  is  the 
day  of  salvation.) 

Luke  14:31.  Or  what  king, 
going  to  make  war  against  an- 
other king,  sitteth  not  down 
first,  and  consulteth  whether  he 
be  able  with  ten  thousand  to 
meet  him  that  cometh  against 
him  with  twenty  thousand? 

32.  Or  else,  while  the  other  is 
yet  a  great  way  off,  he  sendeth 
an  ambas'sage,  and  desireth  con- 
ditions  of   peace. 

33.  So  likewise,  whosoever  iic 
be  of  you  that  forsaketh  not  all 
that  he  hath,   he  cannot  be   my 
disciple. 

(22)  Acts     10:42.       And     he 
commandeth    us    to    preach    unto 
the  people,  and  to  testify  that  it 
is    he    which    was    ordatned    of 
God    to    be    the    Judge    of    quick 
and  dead. 

43.  To  him  give  all  the  proph- 
ets witness,  that  through  His 
name  whosoever  believeth  in 
him  shall  receive  remission  ol 
eins. 


Acts  17  :30.  And  the  times  of 
this  ignorance  God  winked  at ; 
but  now  commandeth  all  men 
every  where  to  repent : 

31.  Because  he  hath  appointed 
a  day,  in  the  which  he  will 
judge  the  world  in  righteous- 
ness by  that  man  whom  he  bath 
ordained ;  whereof  he  hath  given 
assurance  unto  all  men,  in  that 
he  hath  raised  him  from  tho 
dead. 

(23)  1  Thes.   1:9.     For  they 
themselves  shew  of  us  what  man- 
ner of  entering  in  we  had  unto 
you,   and  how  ye  turned  to   God 
from    idols    to    serve    the    living 
and   true    God ; 

10.  And  to  wait  for  his  Son 
from  heaven,  whom  he  raised 
from  the  dead,  even  Jesus,  which 
delivered  us  from  the  wrath  to 
come. 

(24)  1    Thes.    3:13.      To    the 
end  he  may  stablish  your  hearts 
unblamable     in     holiness     before 
God,    even    our    Father,    at    the 
coming  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ 
with  all  his  saints. 

(25)  1    John    3 :2.       Beloved, 
now  are  we  the  sons  of  God|  and 
it  doth  not  yet  appear  what  we 
shall    be :    but    we    know    that, 
when  he   shall   appear,   we   shall 
be    like    him ;    for   we    shall    see 
him  as  he  is. 

3.  And  every  man  that  hath 
this  hope  in  him  purifleth  him- 
self, even  as  he  is  pure- 


THE  SECOND  ADVENT. 


15 


are  upon  the  earth,  that  you  may  appear  with  Him  in 
glory.26 

Strive  and  pray  for  purity  of  heart,  that  you  may  "be 
like  Him  and  see  Him  as  He  is."27  Search  the  Word,  that 
you  may  be  sanctified  and  cleansed  thereby,28  and  that  your 
whole  spirit,  and  soul,  and  body  may  be  preserved  blameless 
unto  the  coming  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ.29  But  possibly 
you  say,  with  contempt, 

"Oh,  That's  Second  Adventism." 
Beloved,    have   you    considered    that   Moses,80    David,31 
Isaiah,32  Jeremiah,33  Daniel,34  Zecariah,35  all  the  prophets 


(26)  Col.   3:4.     When  Christ, 
who    is    our    life,    shall    appear, 
then   shall   ye  also  appear  with 
him   in  glory. 

5.  Mortify  therefore  your  mem- 
bers which  are  upon  the  earth ; 
fornication,  uncleanness,  inor- 
dinate affection,  evil  concu- 
piscence, and  covetousness, 
which  is  idolatry. 

(27)  Mat.     5 :8.    Blessed   are 
the  pure  in  heart:  for  they  shall 
see  God. 

1  John  3 :2.  Beloved,  now 
are  we  the  sons  of  God,  and  it 
doth  not  yet  appear  what  we 
shall  be :  but  we  know  that, 
when  he  shall  appear,  we  shall 
be  like  him ;  for  we  shall  see 
him  as  he  is. 

3.  And  every  man  that  hath 
this  hope  in  him  purifieth  him- 
self, even  as  he  Is  pure. 

(28)  Eph.     5:26.       That    he 
might    sanctify    and    cleanse    it 
with    the    washing    of    water    by 
the  word. 

(29)  1  Thes.    5:23.     And  *he 
very   God   of   peace  sanctify   you 
wholly ;    and    I   pray    God    your 
whole   spirit   and   soul   and  body 
be  preserved  blameless  unto   the 
coming  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ. 

(30)  Deut.  33:2.  And  he  said, 
The   Lord  came  from  Sinai,  and 
rose    up    from    Seir    unto    them ; 
he     shined     forth     from     Mount 
Paran,    and    he    came    with    ten 
thousands    of    saints :    from    bis 


right  hand  went  a  fiery  law  for 
them. 

(31)  Psa.    102:16.  When    the 
Lord    shall    build    up    Zion,    he 
shall  appear  in  his  glory. 

(32)  Isa.   59:20.  And  the  Re- 
deemer shall  come  to  Zion,  and 
unto      them      that      turn      from 
transgression  in  Jacob,  saith  the 
Lord. 

Isa.  60:1.  Arise,  shine;  for 
thy  light  is  come,  and  the  glory 
of  the  Lord  is  risen  upon  thee. 

(33)  Jer.    23:5.      Behold    the 
days  come,   saith  the  Lord,  that 
I  will  raise  unto  David  a  right- 
eous   Branch,    and   a   King   shall 
reign  and  prosper,  and  shall  ex- 
ecute   judgment    and    justice    in 
the  earth. 

6.  In  his  days  Judah  shall  be 
saved,  and  Israel  shall  dwell 
safely :  and  this  is  his  name 
whereby  he  shall  be  called,  THE 
LORD  OUR  RIGHTEOUSNESS. 

(34)  Dan.  7  :13.     I  saw  in  the 
night    visions,    and,    behold,    one 
like  the   Son  of  man   came  with 
the   clouds  of  heaven,   and  came 
to  the  Ancient  of  days,  and  they 
brought  him  near  before  him. 

(35)  Zech.  14:4.  And  his  feet 
shall  stand  in  that  day  upon  the 
mount    of    Olives,    which    is    be- 
fore Jerusalem  on  the  east ;   and 
the  mount  of  Olives  shall  cleave 
in   the  midst  thereof  toward  the 
east    and   toward   the   west,   and 


16  JESUS  IS  COMING. 

and  apostles,36  were  believers  in  the  second  advent  of 
Christ?  And  because  some,  by  setting  dates,  and  other 
errors,  have  brought  disrepute  upon  this  doctrine,  shall  we 
cast  it  aside  altogether? 

But  it  may  be  you  say  (as  we  have  been  pained  to  hear 
from  so  many  even  earnest  Christians)  : 

"Well,  I  Don't  Think  It  Concerns  Me  Much,  Anjrway; 

I've  always  thought  that  in  most  cases  it  meant  death,  and 
if  I'm  prepared  for  death,  that's  enough;  and  there  is  too 
much  speculation  about  it  to  suit  me;  and  I  don't  believe 
it's  a  practical  doctrine;  and,  more  than  that,  I  think  it's  a 
mistake  to  pay  so  much  attention  to  it." 

Yes,  even  thus  do  many  Christians,— who  profess  to  be 
members  of  the  body  of  Christ,37  and  who  have  been 
espoused  unto  one  husband,  that  they  may  be  presented  to 
Him 38 — summarily  dispose  of  this  precious  truth,  that 
Jesus  is  coming,  to  take  unto  Himself  His  bride.39 

0,  beloved,  do  not  thus  deprive  yourself  of  this  comfort- 
ing truth.  Please  take  your  pencil  and  mark  in  your  Bible 
the  passages  that  pertain  to  it;  and  see 

there  shall  be  a  very  great  val-  all  the  Gentiles,  upon  whom  my 

ley ;    and    half   of   the   mountain  name   is   called,    saith  the   Lord, 

.shall    remove    toward   the   north,  who  doeth  all  these  things, 

and  half  of  it  toward  the  south.  (37)    1    Cor.    12:27.      Now   ye 

5.  And    ye    shall    flee    to    the  are  the  body  of  Christ,  and  mem- 
valley  of  the  mountains ;  for  the  bers    in   particular, 
valley    of    the    mountains    shall  (38)    2    Cor.    11:2.  For   I    am 
reach  unto   Azal :    yea,   ye   shall  jealous     over     you     with     godly 
flee,   like  as  ye  fled  from  before  jealousy :    for    I    have    espoused 
the    earthquake    in    the    days    of  you  to  cue  husband,  that  I  may 
Uzziah  king   of  Judah :    and  the  present   you   as   a   chaste   virgin 
Lord  my  God  shall  come,  and  all  to  Christ, 
the    saints   with    thee.  (39)   John   14:3.  And   if  I   go 

(36)   Acts  15:15.  And  to  this  and   prepare   a   place   for  you,   I 

agree  the  words  of  the  prophets ;  wil1  come  again,  and  receive  you 

as  it  is  written,  uato   myself ;    that   where   I   am, 

there  ye  may  be  also. 

16.  After    this    I    will    return,  Eph    5  :23    For  the  hu3band  ls 
and  will   build   again   the  taber-  the    head    of    the    wife>    even    as 
nacle   of   David,   which   is   fallen  Christ  Is  the  head  of  the  caurch : 
down;    and    I    will    build    again  and    he    ls    the    Saviour    of    the 
the  ruins  thereof,  and  I  will  set  body. 

Jt  UP:  32.  This   is   a   great  mystery: 

17.  That   the   residue   of   men       but    I    speak    concerning    Christ 
might  seek   after  the  Lord,    and       and  the  church. 


IMPORTANCE   IN   THE  WORD. 


17 


How  Large  a  Portion  of  the  Word  Is  Devoted  to  It. 

If  the  Holy  Ghost  has  deemed  it  so  important,  is  it  not 
worthy  of  our  attention?  The  Word  exhorts  us40  to  give 
attention  to  it;41  and  the  danger  of  condemnation  is  to 
them  who  do  not.42 

Again,  please  to  examine  the  passages  cited  under  the 
heading,  "A  Practical  Doctrine/'  on  page  180  and  see  how 
Jesus  and  the  apostles  used  this  doctrine  to  incite  us  to 
watchfulness,  repentance,  patience,  ministerial  faithfulness, 
brotherly  love,  etc.,  and  then  decide  whether  anything  could 
be  more  practical. 

Surely  no  doctrine,  in  the  Word  of  God,  presents  a  deeper 
motive  for  crucifying  the  flesh,  and  for  separation  unto 


(4.0)  1  Thes.  4:18.  Wherefore 
comfort  one  another  with  these 
words. 

1  Cor.  1:7.  So  that  ye  come 
behind  in  no  gift ;  waiting  for 
the  coming  of  our  Lord  Jesus 
Christ : 

(41)  Rev.    1:3.  Blessed   is  he 
that  readeth,  and  they  that  hear 
the  words  of  this  prophecy,   and 
keep     those     things     which     are 
written  therein :   for  the  time  is 
at  hand. 

(42)  Luke   12:45.  But   and   if 
that    servant    say    in    his    heart, 
My    lord    delayeth    his    coming ; 
and  shall  begin  to  beat  the  men- 
servants  and  maidens,  and  to  eat 
and  drink,  and  to  be  drunken  ; 

46.  The  lord  of  that  servant 
will  come  in  a  day  when  he 
looketh  not  for  him,  and  at  an 
hour  when  he  is  not  aware,  and 
will  cut  him  in  sunder,  and  will 
appoint  him  his  portion  with  the 
unbelievers. 

Luke  21 :34.  And  take  heed  to 
yourselves,  lest  at  any  time  yo\i7 
hearts  be  overcharged  -with  sur- 
feiting, and  drunkenness,  and 
cares  of  tt»Ss  life,  and  so  that 
*«w-ccme  upon  you  unawares. 

"5.  For  as  a  snare  shall  it 
come  on  all  them  that  dwell  on 
the  face  of  the  whole  earth. 


36.  Watch  ye  therefore,  and 
pray  always,  that  ye  may  be  ac- 
counted worthy  to  escape  all 
these  things  that  shall  come  to 
pass,  and  to  stand  before  the 
Son  of  man. 

1  Thes.  5  :1.  But  of  the  times 
and  the  seasons,  brethren,  ye 
have  no  need  that  I  write  unto 
you. 

2.  For    yourselves    know    per- 
fectly that  the  day  of  the  Lord 
so    cometh    as    a    thief    in    the 
night. 

3.  For   when    they    shall    iay. 
Peace    and    safety ;    then    sudden 
destruction    cometh    upon    them, 
as   travail    upon    a   woman    with 
child  ;  and  they  shall  not  escape. 

4.  But  ye,  brethren,  are  not  in 
darkness,    that    that    day    should 
overtake  you  as  a  thief. 

5.  Ye   are   all   the   children   of 
light,    and    the    children    cf    ihe 
day :    vt    ar«    not    of   the   eight, 
nor  of  darkness. 

6.  Therefore  let  us  not  sleep, 
as   do  others ;    but   let  us  watch 
and  be  sober. 

7.  For    they   that    sleep    sleep 
in   the   night ;    and   they   that  be 
drunken     are     drunken     in     th* 
night. 


18 


JESUS  IS  COMING. 


God,  and  to  work  for  souls,  as  our  hope  and  joy  and  crown 
of  rejoicing43  than  this  does. 

For  the  whole  teaching  of  it  is,  that  our  conversation 
(citizenship)  is  in  heaven;  from  whence,  also,  we  look  for 
the  Savior,  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ;  who  shall  change  our 
vile  body,  that  it  may  be  fashioned  like  unto  His  glorious 
body.4*  It  awakens  groaning  for  the  adoption,  to  wit,  the 
redemption  of  our  body.45 

It  gives  us  a  view  of  the  world,  as  a  wrecked  vessel,48 


(43)  1   Thes'.    °  :19.  For  what 
is  our  hope,  or  Joy,  or  crown  of 
rejoicing?     Are  not  even   ye   in 
the   presence   of  our   Lord  Jesus 
Christ  at  his  coming? 

Dan.  12 :3.  And  they  that  be 
wise  shall  shine  as  the  brightness 
of  the  firmament ;  and  they  that 
turn  many  to  righteousness  as 
the  stars  for  ever  and  ever. 

(44)  Phil.  3  :20.    For  our  con- 
versation   is     in    heaven ;     from 
Whence    also    we    look ,  for    the 
Saviour,  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ: 

21.  Who  shall  change  our  vile 
body,  that  it  may  be  fashioned 
like  unto  his  glorious  body,  ac- 
cording to  the  working  where- 
by he  is  able  even  to  subdue  all 
things  unto  himself. 

(45)  Rom.     8:23.     And     not 
only    they,    but    ourselves    also, 
which    have    the    first    fruits    of 
the    Spirit,     even    we    ourselves 
groan    within    ourselves1,    waiting 
for  the  adoption,  to  wit,  the  re- 
demption of  our  body. 

Luke  21 :28.  And  when  these 
things  begin  to  come  to  pass, 
then  look  up,  and  lift  up  your 
heads ;  for  your  redemption 
draweth  nigh. 

(46)  Matt.  7:13:  Enter  ye  in 
at   the   strait   gate :    for   wide   is 
the  gate,   and  broad  is  the  way, 
that  leadeth  to   destruction,   and 
many    there    be    which    go    in 
thereat : 

14.  Because  strait  is  the  gate, 
and  narrow  is  the  way,  which 
leadeth  unto  life,  and  few  there 
be  that  find  it. 

1    Thes.    5 :3.  For   when    they 


shall  say,  Peace  and  safety ; 
then  sudden  destruction  cometn 
upon  them,  as1  travail  upon  a 
woman  with  child ;  and  they 
shall  not  escape. 

2  Pet.  2  :3.  And  through  cov- 
etousness  shall  they  with  feigned 
words  made  merchandise  of  you : 
whose  Judgment  now  of  a  long 
time  lingereth  not,  and  their 
damnation  slumbereth  not. 

4.  For  if  God   spared  not  th* 
angels  that  sinned,  but  cast  them 
down  to  hell,  and  delivered  them 
into    chains    of   darkness,    to    be 
reserved  unto  judgment ; 

5.  And     spared     not    the     old 
world,  but  saved  Noah  the  eighth 
person,  a  preacher  of  righteous- 
ness, bringing  in  the  flood  upon 
the  world  of  the  ungodly ; 

6.  And    turning    the    cities    of 
Sodom  and  Gomorrah  into  ashes 
condemned   them   with    an    over- 
throw, making  them  an  ensample 
unto  those  that  after  should  live 
ungodly ; 

7.  And     delivered     Just     Lot, 
vexed   with    the   filthy   conversa- 
tion of  the  wicked : 

8.  (For    that    righteous    man 
dwelling    among    them,     in    see- 
ing    and     hearing,     vexed     his 
righteous   soul   from   day   to  day 
with  their  unlawful  deeds : ) 

9.  The   Lord   knoweth  how    to 
deliver   the   godly    out    of   temp- 
tation,   and    to    reserve    the    un- 
just  unto    the    day   of   judgment 
to  be  punished : 

2  Pet.  5  :5.  For  this  they  will- 
ingly are  ignorant  of,  that  by 


SURE  WORD  OF  PROPHECY. 


19 


and  stimulates  us  to  work  with  all  our  might  that  we  may 
save  some.47  Most,  if  not  all,  of  the  evangelists  of  our  day 
are  animated  by  this  doctrine,  and  surely  their  work  is 
practical. 

Again,  Peter  says,  "We  have  a  more  sure  word  of  proph- 
ecy*, whereunto  ye  do  well  that  ye  take  heed  (as  unto 
a  light  that  shineth  in  a  dark  place,  until  the  day  dawn, 
and  the  day  star  arise)  in  your  hearts"  ;*8t  and  he  exhorts 
us  to  be  mindful  of  these  words.49  Therefore  we  are  not 
speculating  when  we  prayerfully  study  prophecy. 

*Gr.    We  have  the  prophetic  word  more  confirmed. 
tSee  Tregelles'  punctuation. 


the  word  of  God  the  heavens 
were  of  old,  and  the  earth  stand- 
ing out  of  the  water  and  in  the 
water : 

6.  Whereby    the    world    that 
then  was,  being  overflowed  with 
water,  perished : 

7.  But    the    heavens    and    the 
earth,    which    are    now,    by    the 
same    word    are    kept    in    store, 
reserved    unto    fire    against    the 
day   of    judgment   and   perdition 
of  ungodly  men. 

3.  But,  beloved,  be  not  igno- 
rant of  this  one  thing,  that  one 
day  is  with  the  Lord  as  a  thou- 
sand years,  and  a  thousand  years 
as  one  day. 

9.  The  Lord  is  not  slack  con- 
cerning   his    promise,    as    some 
men    count    slackness ;     but     is 
"  ~igsuflering     to     us-ward,     not 
willing  that   any   should   perish, 
but    that    all    should    come    to 
repentance. 

10.  But  the  day  of  the  Lord 
will    come   as    a    thief   in    the 
night :  in  the  which  the  heavens 
shall   pass   away   with    a   great 
noise,    and    the    elements    shall 
melt  with  fervent  heat,  the  earth 
also    and    the    works    that    are 
therein  shall  be  burned  up. 


11.  Seeing  then  that  all  these 
things    shall    be    dissolved,    what 
manner   of  persons   ought  ye  to 
be   in  all  holy   conversation   and 
godliness, 

12.  Looking    for    and    hasting 
unto   the   coming   of   the   day   of 
God,   wherein  the  heavens  being 
on    fire    shall    be    dissolved,    and 
the  elements  shall  melt  with  fer- 
vent heat? 

(47)  1    Cor.    9:22.      To    the 
weak    became    I    weak ;    that    I 
might  gain  the  weak :  I  am  made 
all    things    to    all    men,    that    I 
might  by   all   means   save   some. 

(48)  2   Pet,   1:19.     We   have 
also  a  more  sure  word  of  proph- 
ecy ;  whereunto  ye   do  well   that 
ye   take   heed,    as    unto    a   light 
that    shineth    in    a    dark    place, 
until  the  day  dawn,  and  the  day- 
star  arise  in  your  hearts : 

(49)  2   Pet.    3:1.  This  second 
epistle,  beloved,  I  now  write  unto 
you ;    in    both   which    I    stir    up 
your  pure  minds  by  way  of  re- 
membrance : 

2.  That  ye  may  be  mindful  of 
the  words  which  were  spoken  be- 
fore by  the  holy  prophets,  and 
of  the  commandment  of  us  the 
apostles  of  the  Lord  and  Sa- 
vior. 


CHAPTER  II. 
Literal  Interpretation. 

Perhaps  you  ask,  "Are  not  these  prophecies  to  be  inter- 
preted 'spiritually'?  And  does  not  this  'coming'  mean 
our  acceptance  of  Him  at  conversion,  and  the  witness  of 
the  spirit?  Or  does  it  not  mean  His  reign  over  the 
Church?"  etc. 

No!  Not  at  all.  Think  a  moment.  Do  you  condemn 
the  Jews  for  rejecting  Christ,  when  He  came  in  such  literal 
fulfillment  of  prophecy,  and  yet  reject  the  same  literalness 
ahout  his  second  coming?  This  is  not  consistent,  and  while 
we  believe  Luke  1 :31,  to  be  literally  true,  let  us  believe 
likewise  in  regard  to  verses  32"  and  33. 

Luke  1:31-33. 

"31.  And,  behold,  thou  shalt  conceive  in  thy  womb,  and 
bring  forth  a  son,  and  shall  call  his  name  Jesus. 

"32.  He  shall  be  great,  and  shall  be  called  the  Son  of  the 
Highest :  and  the  Lord  God  shall  give  unto  Him  the  throne 
of  His  Father,  David. 

"33.  And  He  shall  reign  over  the  house  of  Jacob  for- 
ever; and  of  His  kingdom  there  shall  be  no  end/' 

The  inconsistency  of  accepting  literally  verse  31,  and 
'spiritualizing'  32  and  33,  is  clearly  illustrated  by  the  fol- 
lowing account  of  a  conversation  between  a  Christian  #"*». 
ister  and  a  Jew: 

"Taking  a  New  Testament  and  opening  it  at  Luke  1:32, 
the  Jew  asked:  'Do  you  believe  that  what  is  here  written 
shall  be  literally  accomplished, — The  Lord  God  shall  give 
unto  Him  the  throne  of  His  Father,  David;  and  He  shall 
reign  over  the  house  of  Jacob  forever?'  'I  do  not,'  an- 
swered the  clergyman,  'but  rather  take  it  to  be  figurative 
language,  descriptive  of  Christ's  spiritual  reign  over  the 
Church.' 

*'  'Then,'  replied  the  Jew,  'neither  do  I  believe  literally  the 

(20). 


LITERAL  INTERPRETATION.  21 

words  preceding,  which  say  that  this  Son  of  David  should 
be  born  of  a  virgin  ;  but  take  them  to  be  merely  a  figurative 
manner  of  describing  the  remarkable  character  for  purity 
of  him  who  is  the  subject  of  the  prophecy.'  'But  why/ 
continued  the  Jew,  'do  you  refuse  to  believe  literally  verses 
32  and  33,  while  you  believe  implicitly  the  far  more  incredi- 
ble statement  of  verse  31?'  'I  believe  it,'  replied  the  clergy- 
man, 'because  it  is  a  fact,'  'Ah!'  exclaimed  the  Jew,  with 
an  inexpressible  air  of  scorn  and  triumph,  'You  believe 
Scripture  because  it  is  a  fact;  I  believe  it  because  it  is  the 
Word  of  God.'  " 

And  now,  dear  reader,  was  not  the  argument  of  the  Jew 
candid  and  forcible?  There  are  symbols,  figures  or  tropes, 
metaphors,  etc.,  used  in  Scripture  and  there  are,  also,  al- 
legories. 

But,  unless  they  are  so  stated  in  the  text,  or  plainly 
indicated  in  the  context,  we  should  hold  only  to  the  literal 
sense. 

The  words  of  Christ  in1  John  7:38  we  are  told  in  the 
very  next  verse  were  spoken  "of  the  Spirit,  which  they  that 
believe  on  him  should  receive." 

The   allegory  in   Gal.   4:24-312  in  no   possible  manner 

detracts  from  the  literal  sense  of  Scripture,  but  on  the 

contrary  it  confirms  it.     We  know  that  both  Hagar  and 

•  Sarah  had  a  literal  physical  existence.    Mt.  Sinai  and  Jeru- 

salem are  literal. 

We  have  a  literal  Christ,  the  mediator  of  the  new  cove- 
nant.3 And  so  we  believe  that  the  Jerusalem  which  is 

(1)   John    7:38.  He    that    be-  eth  to  bondage,  which  is  Agar. 

lieveth   on   me,    as   the   Scripture  25.  For    this    Agar    is    mount 

hath  said,  out  of  his  belly  shall  Sinai    in   Arabia,   and   answereth 

flow  rivers  of  living  water.  to  Jerusalem  which  now  is,   and 

39.    (But  this  spake  he  of  the  is  in  bondage  with  her  children. 

Spirit,    which    they    that    believe  26.   But    Jerusalem    which    is 

on   him  should   receive  :    for   the  above     is     free,     which     is     the 

Holy   Ghost   was   not   yet   given;  mother  of  us  all. 

because   that   Jesus   was   not  yet  (JJ)   Heb     ^  .^    ^    ^    Je_ 

4:24.  Whicl  i    things 


^  T  «£  H 


two  u  «  ,  o    Ae 

the  mount  Sinai,  which  gender-       thmgs  man  tnat  °'  Abel> 


22  JESUS  IS  COMING. 

above,"  of  which  Sarah  is  typical— "the  heavenly  Jeru- 
salem,"* "the  new  Jerusalem  which  cometh  down  out  "of 
heaven  from  God,"5  is  also  literal,  tangible  and  real.  How 
then,  are  we  authorized,  from  such  examples  as  these  (which 
are  most  prominent  among  those  cited  by  Post-millennial- 
4sts  as  authority  for  "spiritualizing"),  to  do  away  with 
the  literal  sense  of  Luke  1:32-33,  or  of  the  multitude  of 
passages  which  predict  the  restoration  of  Israel,  the  com- 
ing of  Christ,  or  which  describe  His  glorious  Kingdom? 
There  can  be  no  warrant  for  it.  It  subverts  the  authority 
and  power  of  the  Word  of  God,  and  Post-millennialists,  by 
so  doing,  open  wide  the  door  for  skeptics  and  latitudina- 
rians  of  all  descriptions.  There  are  a  portion  of  the  Israel- 
ites in  the  present  day  who  style  themselves  "reformed" 
or  * '  liberal. ' '  They  likewise  spiritualize  the  Old  Testament 
prophecies  and  have  therefore  ceased  to  look  for  any  literal 
Messiah.  One  of  them  not  long  since  said  to  the  writer 
"the  nineteenth  century  is  the  Messiah,"  and  this  absurd 
doctrine  is  now  quite  generally  preached  in  their  principal 
congregations.  That  even  Jews  should  thus  join  with  Gen- 
tiles in  "spiritualizing"  Scripture,  is  a  marvelous  sign  of 
the  times  in  which  we  live.  ["When  the  Son  of  Man 
cometh  shall  He  find  (the)  faith  on  the  earth?"  Luke  18:8.] 
Why!  the  same  process  of  spiritualizing  away  the  literal 
sense  of  these  plain  texts  of  Scripture  will  sap  the  founda- 
tion of  every  Christian  doctrine  and  leave  us  to  drift  into 
absolute  infidelity,  or  the  vagaries  of  Swedenborgianism. 

What  is  the  purpose  of  language,  if  not  to  convey  definite 
ideas?     Surely  the  Holy  Spirit  could  have  chosen  words 

(4)  Heb.    12 :22.  But    ye    are  and  I  will  write  upon  Mm  my 

come  unto  mount  Sion,  and  unto  new  name, 
the   city   of   the   living  God,   the  R         gl  2  fl 

heavenly    Jerusalem,    and    to    an  th  Jerusalem, 

innumerable   company  o     angels  coming    dow/'from    God    out    of 

ov  r'comlrh  wm^  ma™?  Pm£  Jj™*  fTTln  £  «?     ^^ 

in   the   temple   of   my    God,    and  adorned  for  her  husband. 
he  shall  go  no  more  out :  and  I  10.  And  he  carried  me  away 

will  write  upon  him  the  name  of  In  the  spirit  to  a  great  and  high 

my  God,    and   the   name  of   the  mountain,   and   shewed   me   that 

city   of   my   God,    which   is    new  great    city,   the    holy    Jerusalem, 

Jerusalem,    which    cometh    down  descending   out  of   heaven    from 

out    of    heaven    from    my    God:  God. 


LITERAL  INTERPRETATION.  23 

to  convey  His  thoughts  correctly.  Indeed  it  is  all  summed 
up  in  the  inquiry  of  a  little  child,  "If  Jesus  didn't  mean 
what  He  said,  why  didn't  He  say  what  He  meant?"  But 
we  believe  that  He  did  mean  what  He  said,  and  that  His 
words  will  "not  pass  away."  Mat.  24 :35. 

He  said  that  He  came  "not  to  destroy  the  law  or  the 
prophets,  but  to  fulfill,"  and  "Till  heaven  and  earth  pass, 
one  jot  or  one  tittle  shall  in  no  wise  pass  from  the  law,  till 
all  be  fulfilled."  Mat.  5:17-18. 

Prophecies  Literally  Fulfilled  at  the  First  Coming. 

If  He  came  and  literally  fulfilled  the  prophecies  of  a  suf- 
fering Messiah,  Psa.  22,  Isa.  53,  etc.,  will  He  not  as  surely 
come  and  likewise  fulfill  the  prophecies  of  a  glorified  Mes- 
siah reigning  in  victory  and  majesty"?  Psa.  2 ;  72 ;  Dan.  7 : 
13-14,  Isa.  9;  11;  60,  etc.  Think  of  the  many  prophecies 
descriptive  of  a  suffering  Messiah,  which  we  have  seen 
literally  fulfilled,  and  upon  which  we  rest,  as  such  strong 
evidence  for  the  truth  and  inspiration  of  the  Word,  to  wit: 

Isa.  7:14— Born  of  a  virgin. 

Mic.  5 :2— At  Bethlehem. 

Jer.  31:15— Slaughter  of  the  children., 

Hos.  11:1— Called  out  of  Egypt. 

Isa.  11 :2— Anointed  with  the  Spirit. 

Zech.  9  :9 — Entry  into  Jerusalem. 

Psa.  41 :9 ;  55 :  12-14— Betrayed  by  a  friend. 

Zech.  13 :7 — Disciples  forsake  Him. 
"      11:12— Sold  for  thirty  pieces  of  silver. 
"      11 :13— Potter's  field  bought. 

Isa.  50:6— Spit  on  and  scourged. 

Ex.  12:46;  Psa.  34:20— Not  a  bone  broken. 

Psa.  69:21— Gall  and  vinegar. 

Psa.  22— Hands  and  feet  pierced. 

—Garments  parted— lots  cast. 

Isa.  53— Poverty,  suffering,  patience,  and  death.  And 
many  other  passages. 

All  these  were  literally  fulfilled  when  Christ  came.  Do 
not,  then,  reject  the  literal  fulfillment  of  those  numerous 
prophecies  which  describe  His  future  coming,  and  His 
glorious  reign  upon  the  earth.  Namely:— 


24  JESUS  IS  COMING. 

Prophecies  to  be  Literally  Fulfilled  at  the  Second 
Coming. 

That  He  shall  come  Himself,—  1  Thes.  4 :16, 

That  He  shall  shout,—  1  Thes.  4:16. 

That  the  dead  will  hear  His  voice, —  John  5 :28. 

That  the  raised  and  changed  believers  will  be  caught 

up  to  meet  Him  in  the  air,—  1  Thes.  4 :17. 

That  He  will  receive  them  unto  Himself,—         John  14:3. 
That  He  will  minister  unto  His  watching  servants, — 

Lu.  12 :37. 

That  He  will  come  'to  the  earth  again,—  Acts  1 :11. 

To  the  same  Mount  Olivet  from  which  He  as- 
cended,—  Zech.  14:4. 
In  flaming  fire,—                                              2  Thes.  1 :8. 
In  the  clouds  of  heaven  with  power  and  great 

glory,-  Mat.  24 :30 ;  1  Pet.  1 :7 ;  4 :13. 

And  stand  upon  the  earth,—  Job  19 :25. 

That  His  saints  (the  Church)  shall  come  with  Him,— 

Deut.  33:2;  1  Thes.  3:13;  Jude  14. 

That  every  eye  shall  see  Him,—  Rev.  1 :7. 

That  He  shall  destroy  Antichrist,—  2  Thes.  2:8. 

That  He  shall  sit  in  His  throne,— Mat.  25:31;  Rev.  5:13. 
That  all  nations  will  be  gathered  before  Him,  and 

He  will  judge  them,—  Mat.  25 :32. 

That  He  shall  have  the  throne  of  David,— 

Isa.  9:6-7;  Lu.  1:32;  Ezek.  21:25-27. 

That  it  will  be  upon  the  earth,—  Jer.  23 :5-6. 

That  He  shall  have  a  kingdom,—  Dan.  7 :13-14. 

And.  rule  over  it  with  His  saints, — 

Dan.  7:18-22-27;  Rev.  5:10. 
That  all  kings  and  nations  shall  serve  Him, — 

Psa.  72:11;  Isa.  49:6-7;  Rev.  15:4. 
That  the  kingdoms  of  this  world  shall  become  His 

kingdom,—  Zech.  9:10;  Rev.  11:15. 

That  the  people  shall  gather  unto  Him, —  Gen.  49 :10. 

That  every  knee  shall  bow  to  Him,—  Isa.  45 :23. 

That  they  shall  come  and  worship  the  King,— 

Zech.  14:16;  Psa.  86:9. 
That  He  shall  build  up  Zion,—  Psa.  102:16. 


LITERAL  INTERPRETATION.  25 

» 

That  His  throne  shall  be  in  Jerusalem,— 

Jer.  3:17;  Isa.  33:20-21. 

That  the  Apostles  shall  sit  upon  twelve  thrones,  judg- 
ing the  twelve  tribes  of  Israel, — 

Mat.  19:28;  Lu.  22:28-30. 

That  He  shall  rule  all  nations,—  Psa.  2 :8-9 ;  Rev.  2 :27. 
That  He  shall  rule  with  judgment  and  justice,—  Isa.  9 :7. 
That  the  Temple  in  Jerusalem  will  be  rebuilt 

(Ezek.  chapters  40-48),  and  the  glory  of  the 
Lord  will  come  into  it,—  Ezek.  43 :2-5 ;  44 :4. 

That  the  glory  of  the  Lord  shall  be  revealed,—  Isa.  40 :5. 
That  the  wilderness  shall  be  a  fruitful  field, —  Isa.  32 :15. 
That  the  desert  will  blossom  as  the  rose, —  Isa.  35  :l-2. 

And  His  rest  shall  be  glorious,—  Isa.  11:10. 

And  many  more  we  might  mention. 

Surely,  there  is  no  symbolism  in  these  plain  prophecies, 
which  gives  us  any  authority  to  "spiritualize"  them.  Rather 
let  us  expect  that  He  will  as  literally  fulfill  these  as  He 
did  the  others  at  His  first  coming. 


CHAPTER  HI. 


His  Coming  Does  Not  Mean  Death. 

His  first  coming  did  not  mean  death  to  the  Jews,  and 
they  did  not  so  understand  it;  neither  does  His  second 
coming  mean  death  to  Christians,  nor  should  they  so  un- 
derstand it. 

Jesus  makes  a  clear  distinction  between  death  and  His 
coming  in  John  21. l  He  tells  Peter  how  he  should  die,  and 
then,  by  contrast,  He  speaks  of  John,  saying:  "If  I  will 
that  he  tarry  till  I  come,  what  is  that  to  thee?"  That  is, 
that  John  might  not  die,  but  live  till  Jesus  should  come 
again.  The  disciples  so  understood  it,  and  reported  that 
he  should  not  die. 

Death  is  an  enemy,2  and  at  Christ's  coming  we  are  raised 
from  the  dead,  and  shout  victory  over  death  and  the  grave. 
"0  Death,  where  is  thy  sting?  0  Hades,  where  is  thy  vic- 
tory?"3 


(1)  John  21:18.  Verily,  ver- 
ily, I  say  unto  thee,  When  thou 
wast  young,  thou  girdedst  thy- 
self, and  walkedst  whither  thou 
wouldest:  but  when  thou  shalt 
be  old,  thou  shalt  stretch  forth 
thy  hands,  and  another  shall 
gird  thee,  and  carry  thee  whither 
thou  wouldest  not. 

19.  This    spake    he,    signifying 
by  what  death  he  should  glorify 
God.     And  when  he  had   spoken 
this   he   saith   unto    him,    Follow 
me. 

20.  Then  Peter,  turning  about, 
seeth    the    disciple    whom    Jesus 
loved      following ;      which      also 
leaned  on   his   breast   at   supper, 
and  said,  Lord,  which  is  he  that 
betrayeth  thee? 

21.  Peter  seeing  him  saith  to 
Jesus,  Lord,  and  what  shall  this 
man  do? 

22.  Jesus  saith  unto  him,  If  I 
will   that  he  tarry   till   I   come, 


what    is    that   to    thee?      Follow 
thou  me. 

23.  Then  went  this  saying 
abroad  among  the  brethren,  that 
that  disciple  should  not  die :  yet 
Jesus'  said  not  unto  him,  He 
shall  not  die ;  but,  If  I  will  that 
he  tarry  till  I  come,  what  is  that 
to  thee? 

(2)  1    Cor.    15:26.      The    last 
enemy  that  shall  be  destroyed  is 
death. 

(3)  1    Cor.    15:23.  But   every 
man    in    his    own    order :    Christ 
the    flrstfruits ;     afterward    they 
that  are   Christ's   at  his  coming. 

54.  So    when    this    corruptible 
shall   have   put   on    incorruption, 
and   this   mortal    shall   have   put 
on    immortality,    then    shall    be 
brought  to  pass  the  saying  that 
is    written,    Death    is    swallowed 
up  in  victory. 

55.  O     death,     where     is     thy 
sting?     O    grave,   where   is   thy 
victory? 


(28) 


NOT  DEATH. 


If  we  are  faithful  unto  death  (that  is,  though  faithful- 
ness cost  us  our  lives)  He  has  promised  us  a  crown4  but 
we  do  not  receive  it  until  He  comes.8 

Nothing  is  promised  us  at  death,  except  to  be  at  rest* 
in  Paradise.7  But  we  are  promised  all  things  in  the  resur- 
rection, when  Jesus  comes.8 

Therefore  we  find  Paul  yearning  for  this  resurrection.9 

He  did  not  want  to  be  unclothed  by  death  but  clothed 
upon  by  the  resurrection.10 


(4)  Rev.    2 :10.  Fear   none   of 
those    things    which    thou    shalt 
suffer :    behold,    the    devil    shall 
cast    some    of    you    into    prison, 
that    ye   may    be   tried ;    and   ye 
shall  have  tribulation  ten  days : 
be  thou  faithful  unto  death,  and 
I  will  give  thee  a  crown  of  life. 

(5)  2    Tim.    4:8.      Henceforth 
there  is  laid  up  for  me  a  crown 
of  righteousness,  which  the  Lord, 
the    righteous    judge,    shall    give 
me  at  that  day :   and  not  to  me 
only,  but  unto  all  them  also  that 
love  his   appearing. 

1  Pet.  5 :4.  And  when  the 
chief  Shepherd  shall  appear,  ye 
shall  receive  a  crown  of  glory 
that  fadeth  not  away. 

(6)  2   Thes.   1 :7.  And  to  you 
who   are    troubled    rest   with   us, 
when  the  Lord  Jesus  shall  be  re- 
vealed    from     heaven     with    his 
mighty  angels. 

Rev.  14 :13.  And  I  heard  a 
voice  from  heaven  saying  unto 
me,  Write,  Blessed  are  the  dead 
which  die  in  the  Lord  from 
henceforth.  Yea,  s'aith  the 
Spirit,  that  they  may  rest  from 
their  labours ;  and  their  works 
do  follow  them. 

(7)  Luke  16:22.  And  it  came 
to    pass,    that    the    beggar    died, 
and    was   carried   by    the    angels 
i-nto  Abraham's  bosom :  the  rich 
man    also   died,   and   was  buried. 

Luke  23 :43.  And  Jesus  said 
unto  him,  Verily  I  say  unto  thee, 
Today  shalt  thou  be  with  me  in 
paradise. 

(8)  Luke    14:14.      And    thou 
shalt  be  blessed ;   for  they  can- 


not recompense  thee :  for  thou 
shalt  be  recompensed  at  the  res- 
urrection of  the  just 

Luke  20  :35.  But  they  which 
shall  be  accounted  worthy  to  ob- 
tain that  world,  and  the  resur- 
rection from  the  dead,  neither 
marry,  nor  are  given  in  mar- 
riage: 

36.  Neither  can  they  die  any 
more :  for  they  are  equal  unto 
the  angels ;  and  are  the  children 
of  God,  being  the  children  of  the 
resurrection. 

Rom.  8 :32.  He  that  spared 
Dot  his  own  Son,  but  delivered 
him  up  for  us  all,  how  shall  he 
not  with  him  also  freely  give  us 
all  things? 

(9)  Phil.    3:11.      If    by    any 
means    I    may    attain    unto    the 
resurrection   from  the  dead. 

(10)  2  Cor.  5  :4.     For  we  that 
are  in  this  tabernacle  do  groan, 
being  burdened :  not  for  that  we 
would   be   unclothed,   but  clothed 
upon,    that    mortality    might    be 
swallowed  up  of  life. 

1  Cor.  15  :51.  Behold,  I  shew 
you  a  mystery ;  We  shall  not  all 
sleep,  but  we  shall  all  be 
changed, 

52.  In     a     moment,     in     the 
twinkling  of  an  eye,   at  the  last 
trump :     for    the    trumpet    shall 
sound,    and    the    dead    shall    be 
raised  incorruptible,  and  we  shall 
be   changed. 

53.  For  this   corruptible   must 
put    on    incorruption,     and    this 
mortal  must  put  on  immortality. 

54.  So    when    this    corruptible 


28  JESUS  IS  COMING. 

Let  any  one  insert  "death"  in  the  passages  which  speak 
of  Christ's  coming  and  he  will  see  that  it  will  not  apply. 
For  instance: 

"For  'death'  shall  come  in  the  glory  of  His  Father." 
Mat.  16:27. 

"When  'death'  shall  sit  in  the  throne  of  His  glory." 
Mat.  19 :28. 

"Hereafter  shall  ye  see  'death'  sitting  on  the  right  hand 
of  power,  and  coming  in  the  clouds  of  heaven."  Mat.  26 :64. 

"Behold  he  (death)  cometh  with  clouds  and  every  eye 
shall  see  Him."  Rev.  1 :7. 

"For  our  conversation  is  in  heaven,  from  whence,  also, 
we  look  for  'death.'  "  Phil.  3 :20. 

If  the  reader  thinks  that  these  are  exceptional  passages, 
we  beg  of  you  to  try  it  in  other  Scripture  referring  to  His 
coming.  The  only  possible  similarity  consists  in  analogy — 
viz. :  in  the  fact  that  we  do  not  know  the  time  when  we  shall 
die.  But  thanks  be  to  God,  we  may  not  die  at  all,  for 
"We  shall  not  all  sleep."  1  Cor.  15 :51. 

There  will  be  one  generation,  at  least,  who  will  realize 
that  the  coming  of  our  Lord  is  not  death. 

And  if  it  is  not  admissible  to  say  "for  'death,'  himself, 
shall  descend  from  heaven  with  a  shout"  (1  Thes.  4:16), 
neither  is  it  admissible  to  say,  "Watch,  therefore;  for  ye 
know  not  what  hour  'death'  doth  come."  Mat.  24:42. 

For,  by  such  wresting  of  Scripture,  we  jostle  this  promi- 
nent truth,  of  our  Lord's  advent,  into  the  back-ground,  and 
substitute  therefor  the  'grim  monster,'  death. 

Death  Is  Not  Practically  the  Coining  of  the  Lord. 

It  is  assuming  too  much,  to  say  that  death  is  practically, 
to  the  believer,  the  coming  of  the  Lord.  For  we  do  not 
know  it,  and  the  Scriptures  do  not  assert  it.  On  the  con- 
trary, the  events  which  occur,  as  the  Scriptures  teach  us, 
when  the  Lord  comes,  do  not  occur  at  the  death  of  a  Chris- 
tian. The  dead  are  not  then  raised,  nor  are  the  living  be- 

fchall  have  put  on  incorruption,  brought  to  pass  the  saying  that 
and  this  mortal  shall  have  put  Is  written,  Death  is  swallowed 
on  immortality,  then  shall  be  UD  in  victory 


NOT  DEATH. 


29 


lievers  changed,  as  they  will  be  when  the  Lord  conies.  We 
know  very  little  about  Hades  or  the  intermediate  state  of 
the  dead.  It  is  probably  true  that,  since  the  resurrection  of 
our  Lord,  the  souls  of  believers,  at  death,  go  to  a  Paradise 
above,  so  that  Paul  could  say  "absent  from  the  body,  pres- 
ent with  the  Lord."  2  Cor.  5:8.  But  it  would  appear, 
from  Rev.  6  rQ-ll,11  that  certain  of  the  departed  souls  yearn 
for  the  execution  of  Judgment,  which  occurs  when  the  Lord 
comes.12  Spiritually,  the  believer  is  with  Christ  now,  and 
always,13  but,  to  be  with  Christ,  bodily,14  is  only  to  be  at- 
tained by  the  resurrection,  at  His  coming.15  Therefore,  it 


(11)  Rev.  6:9.     And  when  he 
had  opened  the  fifth  seal,  I   saw 
under    the    altar    the    souls    of 
them    that    were    slain    for    the 
word  of  God,   and   for  the  testi- 
mony which  they  held : 

10.  And  they  cried  with  a  loud 
voice,  saying.  How  long,  O  Lord, 
holy    and    true,    dost    thou    not 
Judge   and    avenge  our   blood   on 
them  that  dwell  on  the  earth? 

11.  And      white      robes      were 
given    unto    every   one    of  them ; 
and  it  was  said  unto  them,  that 
they  should  rest  yet  for  a  little 
season,    until    their    fellow    serv- 
ants    also     and    their    brethren, 
that    should    be    killed    as    they 
were,   should   be    fulfilled. 

(12)  1    Cor.    4:5.      Therefore 
Judge    nothing    before    the    time, 
until    the    Lord   come,    who   both 
will    bring    to    light    the    hidden 
things  of  darkness  and  will  make 
manifest     the     counsels     of     the 
hearts :     and    then     shall     every 
man   have   prais'e  of  God. 

2  Tim.  4  :1.  I  charge  thee  in 
the  sight  of  God,  and  of  Christ 
Jesus,  who  shall  judge  the  liv- 
ing and  the  dead,  and  by  his 
appearing  and  his  kingdom : 

Rev.  11 :18.  And  the  nations 
were  angry,  and  thy  wrath  is 
come,  and  the  time  of  the  dead, 
that  they  should  be  Judged,  and 
that  thou  shouldest  give  reward 
unto  thy  servants  the  prophets, 
and  to  the  saints,  and  them  that 


fear  thy  name,  small  and  great ; 
and  shouldest  destroy  them 
which  destroy  the  earth. 

Also  Mat.  25  : 31-40. 

(13)  John  14:23.  Jesus  an- 
swered and  said  unto  him.  If  a 
man  love  me.  he  will  keep  my 
words :  and  my  Father  will  love 
him,  and  we  will  Come  unto  him, 
and  make  our  abode  with  him. 

Mat.  28 :20.  Teaching  them 
to  observe  all  things  whatsoever 
I  have  commanded  you :  and,  lo, 
I  am  with  you  alway,  even  unto 
the  end  of  the  world.  Amen. 

(1*)  John  12:26.  If  any  man 
serve  me,  let  him  follow  me ; 
and  where  I  am,  there  shall  also 
my  servant  be :  if  any  man  serve 
me,  him  will  my  Father  honour. 

John  17:24.  Father,  I  will 
that  they  also,  whom  thou  hast 
given  me,  be  with  me  where  I 
am ;  that  they  may  behold  my 
glory,  which  thou  hast  given  me : 
for  thou  lovedst  me  before  the 
foundation  of  the  world. 

(15)  John  14  :3.  And  if  I  go 
and  prepare  a  place  for  you,  I 
will  come  again,  and  receive  you 
unto  myself;  that  where  I  am, 
there  ye  may  be  also. 

1  Thes.  4  :17.  Then  we  which 
are  alive  and  remain  shall  bo 
caught  up  together  with  them  in 
the  clouds,  to  meet  the  Lord  in 
the  air :  and  so  shall  we  erer  be 
with  the  Lord. 


30  JESUS  IS  COMING. 

is  entirely  unscriptural  to  instruct  the  believer  to  look  for 
death,  as  being  synonymous  with,  or  equivalent  to,  the 
Lord's  coming. 

Dr.  David  Brown's  Testimony. 

Rev.  David  Brown,  although  a  prominent  Post-millenial- 
ist,  recognizes  this  and  he  says :  "The  coming  of  Christ  to 
individuals  at  death — however  warrantably  we  may  speak 
so,  and  whatever  profitable  considerations  it  may  suggest — 
is  not  fitted  for  taking  that  place  in  the  view  of  the  be- 
liever which  Scripture  assigns  to  the  Second  Advent."  And 
he  very  properly  illustrates  by  the  following  passages: 

"  'Let  not  your  heart  be  troubled  (said  Jesus  to  his  sor- 
rowing disciples) :  In  my  Father's  house  are  many  man- 
sions ;  I  go  to  prepare  a  place  for  you.  And  if  I  go  away' 
—What  then?  'Ye  shall  soon  follow  me?  Death  shall  short- 
ly bring  us  together?'  Nay;  but  'If  I  go  away,  I  will  come 
again  and  receive  you  unto  myself ;  that  where  I  am  there 
ye  may  be  also.'  John  14:3. 

"  'And  while  they  looked  steadfastly  toward  heaven  as  He 
went  up,  behold,  two  men  stood  by  them  in  white  apparel; 
which  also  said,  Ye  men  of  Galilee,  why  stand  ye  gazing 
up  into  heaven,  this  same  Jesus  which  is  taken  up,  from 
you  into  heaven  shall'— "What?  Take  you  home  soon  to  him- 
self at  death?  Nay,  but  shall  'so  come  in  like  manner  as 
ye  have  seen  Him  go  into  heaven.'  Acts  1 :10-11." 

"And,"  he  adds,  "how  know  we  that  by  jostling  this 
event  (the  Advent)  out  of  its  scriptural  place  in  the  ex- 
pectations of  thej  Church,  we  are  not,  in  a  great  degree,  de- 
stroying its  character  and  power  as  a  practical  principle? 
Can  we  not  believe,  though  unable  to  trace  it,  that  God's 
methods  are  ever  best ;  and  that  as  in  nature,  so  perhaps  in 
revelation,  a  modification  by  us  of  the  divine  arrangements, 
apparently  slight,  and  attended  even  with  some  seeming 
advantages,  may  be  followed  by  a  total  and  unexpected 
change  of  results,  the  opposite  of  what  is  anticipated  and 
desired?  So  we  fear  it  to  be  here."*  We  would  that  we 
had  space  to  quote  more,  for  we  admire  this  frank  admis- 

*  Second  Advent,  pages  21,  22. 


SEARCH  THE  SCRIPTURES.  31 

sion—  that  death  is  not  the  coming  of  our  Lord  —  from 
one  who  labors  so  hard  to  support  post-millennialism. 
Again,  the  substitution  of  death  for  the  coming  of  the 
Lord  practically  degrades  the  grand  doctrine  of  the  resur- 
rection, from  its  lofty  prominence  in  Scripture,  to  almost 
an  unnecessary  appendage. 

But  we  believe  in  the  preaching  of  Jesus  land  the  resur- 
rection™ and  we  look  forward  with  joyous  anticipation  to 
the  resurrection  from  the  dead,  as  the  time  when  Jesus 
shall  give  us  the  victory  over  death.17 

Oh!  that  Christians  might  realize  "the  grace  that  is  to 
be  brought  unto"  us  (not  at  death  but)  "at  the  revelation 
of  Jesus  Christ."18 

Nowhere  in  the  Savior's  teachings  are  we  commanded  to 
watch  or  prepare  for  death.  But  we  are  commanded  to 
watch  and  prepare  for  Christ's  coming. 

Therefore,  let  us  not  be  deceived  by  the  thought  that  our 
great  enemy,  Death,  is  the  precious  coming  of  Jesus. 

So,  beloved,  we  conclude  that  this  glorious  doctrine  does* 
concern  you. 

Search  the  Scriptures. 

Perhaps,  you  say:  "I  don't  know  much  about  it,  and  I 
can't  understand  it."  But  do  you  want  to  understand  it? 
If  so,  God's  word  is  open  to  you.  The  Holy  Spirit  will 
teach  you.19  He  will  show  you  things  to  come,20  and  these 

(16)    Acts  4  :2.     Being  grieved  Ing    that    Is    written,    Death    is 

that  they  taught  the  people,  and  swallowed    up    in   victory. 

preached  through  Jesus'  the  res-  55.  O  death,  where  is  thy  vic- 

urrection  from  the  dead.  tory?      O    death,    where    is    thy 

Acts    17:18.      Then      certain 
philosophers    of   the    Epicureans 

Si  0Anthe1Se0Unt 


But     the 

preached   unto   them   Jesus,    and       Comforter,    which          £? 
the  resurrection.  Ghostf 


(17)   1  Cor.  15  :54.  But  when  send  in  my  name,  he  shall  teach 

this    corruptible    shall    have    put  you    all    things,    and    bring    all 

on  incorruption,  and  this  mortal  things     to     your     remembrance, 

shall    have   put   on    immortality,  whatsoever  I  have  said  unto  you. 

then  shall  come  to  pass  the  say-  (20)   John    16:13.        Howbeit 


JESUS  18  COMING. 


pages  are  written  with  the  earnest  desire  to  aid  you  in  the 
study  of  this  truth. 

Will  you  study  it?  Will  you  search  for  yourself,  as  did 
the  noble  Bereans?21  not  merely  to  read  through  this  lit- 
tle book,  but  to  use  it  simply  as  an  index,  and  go  to  the 
Word,  search  out  the  passages  herein  referred  to,  read 
them  and  pray  over  them,  until  the  Holy  Spirit  guides 
you  into  the  truth?  If  so,  we  believe  that  you  will  see 
the  light,  and  find  comfort  to  your  soul. 

Said  a  Christian,  who  had  long  opposed  the  truth  of 
the  pre-millennial  coming  of  Christ:  "I  have  spent  the 
happiest  night  of  my  life,  for  last  evening  I  saw  the  truth 
concerning  the  second  coming."  It  filled  him  with  joy, 
and  he  is  one  who  has  been  greatly  used  in  leading  souls 
to  Christ.  May  God  bless  and  thus  use  you,  dear  reader. 


when  he,  the  Spirit  of  truth,  is 
come,  he  will  guide  you  into  all 
truth :  for  he  shall  not  speak  of 
himself ;  but  whatsoever  he  shall 
hear,  that  shall  he  speak :  and 
he  will  shew  you  things  to  come. 
(21)  Acts  17:10.  And  the 
brethren  immediately  sent  away 
Paul  and  Silas  by  night  unto 


Berea :  who  coming  thither  went 
into  the  synagogue  of  the  Jews. 
11.  These  were  more  noble 
than  those  in  Thessalonica,  In 
that  they  received  the  word  with 
all  readiness  of  mind,  and 
searched  the  Scriptures  daily, 
whether  those  things  were  so. 


CHAPTER  IV. 
The  Three  Appearings. 

The  grandest  fact  in  history  is  that  Jesus  Christ,  the 
Lord  of  Glory,  has  been  in  this  world. 

And  the  most  important  fact  of  the  present  is  that  He 
is  now  in  Heaven  making  intercession  for  us.1 

And  the  greatest  prophesied  event  of  the  future  is,  that 
He  is  coming  again. 

These  three  appearings  are  beautifully  set  forth  in  the- 
9th  of  Hebrews.2 

His  appearing  upon  earth  "to  put  away  sin  by  the  sac- 
rifice of  Himself."  Verse  26. 

His  entering  "into  Heaven  itself,  now  to  appear  in  the 
presence  of  God  for  us."  Verse  24. 

"And  unto  them  that  look  for  Him  shall  He  appear 
the  second  time,  without  sin  unto  salvation."  Verse  28. 

While  He  was  here  upon  earth  He  said:  "It  is  expe- 
dient for  you  that  I  go  away."3  and  He  went  away.4  He 
said,  "I  go  to  prepare  a  place  for  you."  But 

(1)  Heb.  7 :25.     Wherefore  he  26.  For    then    must    he    often 
Is  able  also  to  save  them  to  the  have  suffered  since   the  founda- 
uttermost    that    come    unto    God  tion  of  the  world :  but  now  once 
by  him,  seeing  he  ever  liveth  to  in  the  end  of  the  world  hath  he 
make  intercession  for  them.  appeared  to  put  away  sin  by  the 

Rom.    8  :34.      Who   is   he   that  sacrifice  of  himself, 

condemneth?      It  is   Christ   that  28.  So  Christ  was  once  offered 

died,    yea    rather,    that    is    risen  to  bear  the   sins  of  many ;    and 

again,  who  is  even  at  the  right  unto    them    that    look    for    him 

hand   of   God,   who   also   maketh  shall  he  appear  the  second  time 

Intercession  for   us.  without  sin  unto  salvation. 

1   John   2:1.      My  little  chil-  (3)  John   16:7.     Nevertheless 

dren,   these  things  write  I  unto  I   tell  you  the  truth ;   It   Is  ex- 

you,    that   ye    sin    not.      And    if  pedient  for  you  that  I  go  away: 

any  man  sin,   we  have  an  advo-  for  if  I  go  not  away,  the  Com- 

cate     with     the     Father,     Jesus  forter  will   not  come  unto  you ; 

Christ  the  righteous:  but  if  I  depart,  I  will  send  him 

(2)  Heb.  9:24.     For  Christ  is  unto  you. 

not  entered  into  the  holy  places  (4)   Acts  1 :9.     And  when   he 

made  with  hands,  which  are  the  had    spoken    these    ttftngs,    while 

figures    of    the    true ;    but    Into  they    beheld,    he    was    taken    up, 

heaven  itself,  now  to  appear  in  and  a  cloud  received  him  out  of 

the  presence  of  God  for  us :  their  sight. 

08) 


34  JESUS  IS  COMING. 


He  Promised, 

"If  I  go  and  prepare  a  place  for  you,  I  will  come  again, 
and  receive  you  unto  myself;  that  where  I  am,  there  ye 
may  be  also."  John  14:2-3.  He  gave  us  this  promise 
as  our  hope  and  comfort  while  He  is  away. 

He  said :  "In  the  world  ye  shall  have  tribulation" 
(John  16:33),  "ye  shall  weep  and  lament,  and... be  sor- 
rowful...^^ I  will  see  you  again,  and  your  heart  shall 
rejoice."  Verses  20,  22. 

Nothing  can  be  more  comforting  to  the  Church,  the 
bride  of  Christ,5  then  this  precious  promise  which  our 
absent  Lord  has  left  us,  that  He  will  come  and  receive  us 
unto  Himself,  and  that  we  shall  be  with  Him,  to  behold 
His  glory.6 

He  has  given  us 

The  Lord's  Supper, 

that  we  should  take  the  bread  and  the  cup  in  remembrance 
of  Him,7  and  to  show  His  death,  till  He  come.8  We  have 
this  simple  and  loving  memorial  for  a  continual  sign  of 
this  promise  during  all  the  earthly  pilgrimage  of  the 

(5)   Eph.       5:25.       Husbands,  31.  For  this  cause  shall  a  man 

love  your  -wives,   even  as   Christ  leave  his  father  and  mother,  and 

also  loved  the  church,  and  gave  shall    be    joined    unto    his    wife, 

himself  for  it ;  and  they  two  shall  be  one  flesh. 

26.  That     he     might     sanctify  32.  This  is   a   great  mystery ; 
and    cleanse    it    with    the    wash-  but    I    ^peak    concerning    Christ 
ing  of  water  by  the  word,  and  the  church. 

27.  That  he   might  present   It  (6)   John    17:24.       Father,    I 
to    himself    a    glorious    church,  will   that  they   also,   whom   thou 
not  having   spot,    or  wrinkle,   or  hast  given  me,  be  with  me  where 
any    such    thing ;     but    that    it  I  am ;  that  they  may  behold  my 
should  be  holy  and  without  blem-  glory,  which  thou  hast  given  me ; 
ish.  for   thou    lovedst   me    before   the 

28.  So  ought  men  to  love  their  foundatipn  of  the  world. 

wives   as  their   own   bodies.     He  (7)   Luke  22 :19.     And  he  took 

that  loveth  his1  wife  loveth  him-  bread,     and    gave     thanks,     and 

self.  brake    it,    and    gave    unto    them, 

29.  For  no  man  ever  yet  hated  saying,    This    is   my   body   which 
his    own    flesh ;    but    nourisheth  is  given  for  you :  this  do  in  re- 
and    cherisheth    it,    even    as    the  membrance   of   me. 

Lord    the   cnurch :  (8)    1    Cor.    11 :26.        For   as 

30.  For    we    are    members    of  often   as  ye  eat  this  bread,   and 
his  body,  of  his  flesh,  and  of  his  drink  this  cup,   ye   do   shew  the 
bones.  Lord's  death  till  he  come. 


THE  FAITH  OF  THE  FATHERS. 


35 


Church,9  and  through  it  we  look  forward  from  the  cross 
to  His  coming,  when  He  will  drink  it  anew  with  us,  in 
His  Father's  kingdom,10  at  the  marriage  feast  of  the 
Lamb.11 

It  is  a  constant  reminder  of  His  promise,  pointing  our 
eye  of  faith  to  His  coming  again;  "He  is  faithful  that 
promised"12  and  we  are  exhorte.d  to  have  confidence  and 
patience,  that  we  may  "receive  the  promise,"  "for  yet  a 
little  while,  and  He  that  shall  come,  will  come,  and  will 
not  tarry."  Heb.  10 :35-37. 

One  has  truly  said  that  the  coming  of  Christ  is 

The  Very  Pole  Star  of  the  Church,* 

and  the  apostle  Paul  calls  it  "That  blessed  hope."1* 

Jesus  and  the  apostles  and  the  prophets  have  giveu 
great  prominence  in  the  Scriptures  to  this  inspiring 
theme.  THE  EAELY  FATHERS  and  the  Christian 
Church,  for  the  first  two  centuries  of  our  era,  found  in  it 

*Rev.  David  Brown,  D.  D. 


(9)  Heb.  11:13.  These  all 
died  in  faith,  not  having  re- 
ceived the  promises,  but  having 
seen  them  afar  off,  and  were 
persuaded  of  them,  and  embraced 
them,  and  confessed  that  they 
were  strangers  and  pilgrims  on 
the  earth. 

1  Pet.  2  :11.  Dearly  beloved, 
I  beseech  you  as  strangers  and 
pilgrims,  abstain  from  fleshly 
lusts,  which  war  against  the 
soul. 

(10).  Mat.  26:29.  But  I  say 
unto  you,  I  will  not  drink  hence- 
forth of  this  fruit  of  the  vine, 
until  that  day  when  I  drink  it 
new  with  you  in  my  Father's 
kingdom. 

(11)  Mat.  22:2.  The  king- 
dom of  heaven  is  like  unto  a 
certain  king,  which  made  a  mar- 
riage for  his  son. 

Rev.  19  :9.  And  he  saith  unto 
me,  Write,  Blessed  are  they 
which  are  called  unto  the  mar- 
riage supper  of  the  Lamb.  And 


he  saith  unto  me,  These  are  the 
true  sayings  of  God. 
Also  Luke  14:16-24. 

(12)  Heb.  10  :22.  Let  us  draw 
near  with   a   true   heart  in   ful. 
ness  of  faith,  having  our  hearts 
sprinkled     from     an     evil     con- 
science :    and    having    our    body 
washed  with  pure  water, 

23.  Let  us  hold  fast  the  con- 
fession of  our  hope  that  it  waver 
not ;  for  he  is  faithful  that  prom- 
ised: 

24.  And    let    us    consider    one 
another  to  provoke  unto  love  and 
good  works  ; 

25.  Not  forsaking  our  own  as- 
sembling   together,    as    the    cus- 
tom   of    some    is,    but    exhorting 
one   another;   and  so   much    the 
more,   as  ye  see  the  day  draw- 
ing nigh. 

(13)  Tit.    2:13.      Looking   for 
that  blessed  hope,   and  the  glo- 
rious appearing  of  the  great  God 
and  our  Saviour   Jesus  Christ 


36  JESUS  IS  COMING. 

their  chief  source  of  hope  and  cemfort.  The  belief  that 
Jesus  was  coming  in  glory  to  reign  with  His  saints  on  the 
earth,  during  the  Millennium,  was  almost  universal  with 
them. 

But  in  the  third  century  there  arose  a  school  of  inter- 
preters, headed  by  Origen,  who  so  "spiritualized"  the 
Scriptures  that  they  ceased  to  believe  in  any  literal  Millen- 
nium whatsoever.  Their  system  of  interpretation  has  been 
severely  condemned  by  Martin  Luther,  Dr.  Adam  Clarke 
and  other  commentators. 

When  Constantino  was  converted  and  the  Roman  em- 
pire became,  nominally,  Christian,  it  appeared  to  many 
that  the  Millennium  had  come,  and  that  they  had  the  king- 
dom on  earth.  The  Church,  hand  in  hand  with  the  world, 
plunged  into  the  dark  ages,  until  awakened  by  the  great 
reformers  of  the  sixteenth  century,  who  again  began  to 
proclaim  the  comforting  hope  and  blessed  promise  of  the 
coming  of  Christ;  and  since  that  time  the  subject  so  long 
neglected  has  been  studied  and  preached  with  increasing 
interest.  Indeed,  in  the  last  two  centuries,  it  seems  to 
have  risen  (with  the  doctrine  of  salvation  by  simple  faith 
in  a  crucified  Saviour)  into  somewhat  the  same  promi- 
nence which  it  occupied  in  the  early  cnurch.  God  be 
praised  for  it. 


CHAPTER  V. 

The  Millennium. 
• 

Millennium  (Latin)  is  the  same  as  Chiliad  (Greek), 
and  both  mean  a  thousand  years.  Both  terms  stand  for  the 
doctrine  of  a  future  era  of  righteous  government  upon  the 
earth,  to  last  a  thousand  years. 

Jewish  writers  throughout  the  Talmud  hold  that  this 
Millennium  will  be  chiefly  characterized  by  the  deliverance 
of  the  Jews  from  all  their  enemies,  recovery  of  Palestine 
and  the  literal  reign  of  their  Messiah  in  unequaled  splen- 
dor therein. 

Pre-millemnial  Christians  hold  much  in  common  with 
the  Jews,  but  also  that  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ  is  the 
Messiah ;  that  He  is  to  return  to  the  earth  and  overthrow 
Satan,  all  ungodly  government  and  lawlessness,  and  es- 
tablish a  kingdom  of  righteousness,  having  the  Church, 
with  Himself  as  sovereign,  Jerusalem  as  the  capital,  re- 
gathered  and  converted  Israel  as  the  center,  and  all  na- 
tions included  in  a  universal,  world-wide  kingdom  of  pure 
and  blessed  government. 

Post-millennialists,  for  the  most  part,  hold  that  the  pres- 
ent preaching  of  the  gospel  will  result  in  the  conversion 
of  the  world  and  usher  in  a  golden  era  of  righteousness 
and  a  government  of  justice  and  peace  to  last  a  thousand 
years,  after  which  the  Lord  will  return  for  a  "general 
judgment"  and  introduction  of  an  eternal  state.  It  is 
well  to  have  these  distinctive  views  of  the  Millennium 
clearly  in  mind. 

Contrary  to  the  post-millennial  view,  the  literal  reign 
of  Christ,  with  His  saints,  for  a  thousand  years  is  plainly 
stated  in  the  twentieth  chapter  of  Revelation.1  Six  times 

(1)   Rev.  20:1.    And  I  saw  an  2.  And    he    laid    hold    on    the 

angel  come  down  from  heaven,  dragon,  that  old  serpent,  which 
having  the  key  of  the  bottom-  is  the  Devil,  and  Satan,  and 
less  pit  and  a  great  chain  in  his  bound  him  a  thousand  years, 

3.  And  cast  him  into  the  bot- 

OW 


38 


JESUS  IS  COMING. 


is  the  expression  "A  thousand  years,"  repeated.  Verses 
2,  3,  4,  5,  6  and  7.  The  teaching  is  so  plain  that  "way- 
faring men  shall  not  err  therein. ' '  Isa.  35 :8. 

But  those  who  oppose  this  "blessed  hope,"  of  the  pre- 
millennial  coming  of  our  Lord  usually  begin  their  arguments 
by  the  assertion  that  the  doctrine  of  the  Millennium  is  no- 
where taught  in  Scripture  except  in  this  20th  chapter  of 
Revelation,  and  that  the  symbolical  character  of  this  book 
forbids  our  founding  any  doctrine  upon  it.  The  super- 
ficial character  of  such  a  statement  is  glaringly  apparent 
from  the  fact  that  the  Jews  had  fully  developed  the  doc- 
trine of  the  Millennium  as  the  teaching  of  the  Old  Testa- 
ment scriptures  long  before  the  Book  of  Revelation  or 
any  portion  of  the  New  Testament  was  written.  It  was 
the  view  most  frequently  expressed  in  the  Talmud  that 
"the  Messianic  kingdom  would  last  for  one  thousand 
years/'  and  this  was  commonly  believed  among  the  Jews. 
It  is  easy  to  discern  upon  what  they  founded  the  doctrine. 
It  is  the  Sabbath  of  God's  weeks. 

The  division  of  time  into  sevens,  or  weeks,  permeates 
the  Scriptures.  A  fundamental  enactment  of  the  Mosaic 


tomles's  pit,  and  shut  him  up, 
and  set  a  seal  upon  him,  that  he 
should  deceive  the  nations  no 
more,  till  the  thousand  years 
should  be  fulfilled :  and  after 
that  he  must  be  loosed  a  little 
season. 

4.  And    I    saw    thrones,    and 
they    sat   upon    them,    and   judg- 
ment was  given  unto  them :  and 
I    saw    the    souls    of   them    that 
•were  beheaded  for  the  witness  of 
Jesus,  and  for  the  word  of  God, 
and    which    had    not   worshipped 
the    beast,     neither    his     image, 
neither    had    received    his    mark 
upon  their  foreheads,  or  in  their 
hands ;      and     they     lived      and 
reigned  with  Christ  a  thousand 
years. 

5.  But   the   rest   of   the    dead 
lived   not   again   until   the   thou- 
sand  years   were   finished.     This 
is  the  first  resurrection. 


6.  Blessed  and  holy  is  he  that 
hath   part  In   the  first   resurrec- 
tion :    on   such   the   second  death 
hath  no  power,  but  they  shall  be 
priests  of  God  and  of  Christ,  and 
shall  reign  with  him  a  thousand 
years. 

7.  And     when     the     thousand 
years  are  expired,  Satan  shall  be 
loosed  out  of  his  prison, 

8.  And  shall  go  out  to  deceive 
the    nations    which    are    in    the 
four  quarters  of  the  earth,   Gog 
and   Magog,   to  gather   them   to- 
gether to  battle :  the  number  of 
whom  is  as  the  sand  of  the  sea. 

9.  And   they  went   up   on   the 
breadth   of  the   earth,   and   com- 
passed   the    camp    of    the    saints 
about,  and  the  beloved  city :  and 
fire  came  down  from  God  out  of 
heaven  and  devoured  them. 


THE  MILLENNIUM.  39 

law  was  the  keeping  of  the  Sabbath,  Ex.  20:8.  This  was 
based  upon  God's  great  rest  day  in  Gen.  2.  Upon  this  is 
founded  not  only  the  week  of  days,  but  also  the  week  of 
weeks  unto  Pentecost  (Lev.  23:15-16);  the  week  of" 
months,  with  the  Atonement  and  seven  days'  feast  of 
Tabernacles  in  the  seventh  month  (Lev.  23:27-28);  the 
week  of  years,  ending  with  the  Sabbatic  year  (Lev.  25 :4) ; 
the  week  of  weeks  of  years,  ending  with  the  seventh  Sab- 
batic year,  and  followed  by  the  year  of  Jubilee  (Lev.  25  r 
8-12). 

Even  the  duration  of  Israel's  great  punishments  was 
based  upon  this  law  of  the  sevens.  Their  captivity  in 
Babylon  was  for  seventy  years.  Jer.  25 :11-12 ;  Dan.  9 :2. 
The  great  period  revealed  to  Daniel  (Ch.  9),  unto  the 
coming  of  the  Messiah  was  divided  into  seventy  sevens. 
The  unequaled  period  of  Israel's  punishment  and  disper- 
sion in  the  lands  of  their  enemies,  prophesied  by  Moses, 
is,  with  four-fold  emphasis,  specified  to  be  for  seven  times. 
(Lev.  26:18,  21,  24,  28).  This  sacred  seven  is  woven  into 
the  laws,  life  and  history  of  the  chosen  people,  with  whom 
God  established  His  theocracy.  And  notwithstanding  all 
of  Israel's  rebellion  and  sinfulness  and  consequent  chas- 
tisement, there  still  remains  for  them  and  the  whole  world 
a  keeping  of  the  Sabbath.  Heb.  4:9  margin.  With  God 
a  day  is  as  a  thousand  years  (Psa.  90),  and  a  thousand 
years  as  one  day.  2  Pet.  3 :8. 

Upon  this  rock  of  the  sacred  sevens  we  can  consistently, 
with  the  Jews,  base  our  conclusion  that  as  we  have  the 
scriptural  week,  week  of  weeks,  week  of  months,  week  of 
years,  week  of  weeks  of  years,  week  of  seventy  years,  week 
of  times,  week  of  olams  or  aions  (ages),  see  page  222, 
so  we  also  have  the  great  week  of  Millenniums.  Six  thou- 
sand year  days  of  labor  and  then  the  Millennium,  or 
blessed  seventh  thousand  years  of  rest. 

This  scriptural  doctrine  of  the  Millennium  cannot  be 
shaken.  Its  root  is  in  the  Sabbath  of  Genesis,  and  its 
fruit  is  in  the  thousand-year  kingdom  of  Revelation.  It 
shines  throughout  the  Word  of  God  as  a  glorious  hope  for 
the  nations,  whom  God  has  promised  to  bless.  Gen.  12:3. 


40  JE8U8  18  COMING. 

Shine  on,  0  blessed  Revelation  of  God,  and  the  Lord 
stamp  upon  our  hearts  the  warning  that,  "If  any  man 
shall  take  away  from  the  words  of  the  book  of  this  proph- 
esy, God  shall  take  away  his  part  from  the  Tree  of  Life." 
Rev.  22 :19.* 

*For  a  more  full  statement   of  this  doctrine  see  the  au- 
thor's pamphlet  "The  Millennium,"  F.  H.  Revell  Co. 


CHAPTER  VL 

Post-Millennialism. 

t 

About  the  year  seventeen  hundred  a  new  error  crept 
into  the  Church,  to-wit,  Post-millennialism. 

This  was  instituted  by  Daniel  Whitby,  an  English  di- 
vine, or  proclaimed  by  him  as  a  new  hypothesis,  namely, 
that  the  Church  would  prosper  and  extend  until  the  world 
should  be  converted,  and  this  triumph  of  the  Church 
would  constitute  the  Millennium;  and  that  Jesus  would  not 
come  until  after  the  Millennium. 

No  wonder  that  he  calls  it  a  "new  hypothesis,"  for  he 
himself  bears  testimony  in  his  "Treatise  on  Traditions" 
that  the  doctrine  of  the  Millennium,  or  the  reign  of  Saints 
on  earth  a  thousand  years,  passed  among  the  best  of  Chris- 
tians for  two  hundred  and  fifty  years,  for  a  tradition 
apostolical,  and  as  such  is  delivered  by  many  fathers  of  the 
second  and  third  century,  who  speak  of  it  as  the  tradition 
of  our  Lord  and  His  apostles. 

For  want  of  space  we  refer  the  reader  to  "The  Voice  of 
the  Church,"  by  D.  T.  Taylor,  to  show  the  long  line  of 
eminent  witnesses,  embracing  Hermas,  Justin  and  the  Mar- 
tyrs, Luther,  Melanchthon,  Mede,  Milton,  Burnett,  Isaac 
Newton,  Watts,  Charles  Wesley,  Toplady,  and  a  host  of 
others,  illustrious  in  the  annals  of  the  Church,  who, 
through  the  past  eighteen  centuries,  have  borne  overwhelm- 
ing testimony  to  the  truth  of  the  pre-millennial  coming  of 
Christ.* 

Strange,  indeed,  that  the  Church,  in  the  face  of  such 
evidence,  should  drift  away  from  the  simple  teaching  of  the 
Word  and  the  faith  of  the  fathers.  And  yet,  though  of 
such  recent  origin,  this  error  of  post-millennialism  has  not 
only  crept  into  the  Church,  but  has  been  accepted  by  the 
great  majority  of  Christians,  pastors  and  people. 

This,   then,  is   the   principal  point     of     the     question, 

*See  also  page  66. 


42  JESUS  IS  COMING. 

namely:  Will  the  coming  of  Christ  occur  before  the  Mil- 
lennium, and  may  it  therefore  happen  at  any  moment,  as 
Pre-millennialists  believe,  or  will  it  occur  after  the  Mil- 
lennium, and  thus  be,  at  least,  a  thousand  years  in  the 
future,  as  Post-millennialists  believe? 


CHAPTER 

Pre-Millennial  Arguments. 

We  now  invite  your  prayerful  attention  to  the  follow- 
ing scriptural  arguments,  which,  we  believe,  show  that  the 
coming  of  our  Lord  will  be  pre-millennial. 

No.  I.    The  Antichrist. 

In  2  Thes.  2:8/  The  Antichrist,  who  is  on  all  sides  con- 
fessed to  be  pre-millennial,  is  to  be  destroyed  with  the 
brightness  of  His  (Christ's)  coming,  or  more  literally  the 
epiphany  (appearing*)  of  His  own  presence.  This  fixes 
the  coming  of  Christ  to  be  pre-millennial. 

Bishop  Mcllvaine  says  of  this  argument  that  "it  is 
wholly  unanswerable." 

Even  Mr.  Brown,  the  great  champion  of  post-millennial- 
ism,  admits  that  this  is  an  apparent  evidence  for  the  pre- 
millennial  advent,  and  he  has  been  obliged  to  meet  it  by 
that  process  of  "spiritualizing"  Scripture  which  has  been 
so  condemned  by  Dr.  John  Pye  Smith,  Martin  Luther,  Sir 
Isaac  Newton,  Bishop  Hooker,  Dr.  Adam  Clarke,  and  oth- 
ers. On  this  argument  alone  we  might  rest,  but  we  have 
others  fully  as  conclusive. 

No.  II.    Immediately  After  the  Tribulation. 

In  Mat.  24:29-31,2  the  coming  of  the  Son  of  Mant 
is  said  to  be  immediately  after  the  Tribulation.  But  this 

*See  Greek  tn-i^oveta  same  word  used  in  1  Tim.  6:14;  2  Tim. 
1:10;  4:1;  4:8;  and  Titus  2:13;  in  each  place  translated  ap- 
pearing. 

tThis  is  His  coming'  at  the  Revelation;  see  diagram, 
page  72. 

(1)  2    Thes.    2:8.      And    then  ly  after  the  tribulation  of  those 
shall    that    Wicked    be    revealed,  days  shall  the  sun  be  darkened, 
whom    the    Lord    shall    consume  and  the  moon  shall  not  give  her 
with  the  spirit  of  his  mouth,  and  light,    and    the    stars    shall    fall 
shall    destroy    with    the    bright-  from  heaven,  and  the  powers  of 
ness  of  his  coming :  the  heavens  shall  be  shaken : 

(2)  Mat.    24 :29.     Immediate-  30.  And  then  shall  appear  the 

(43) 


44 


JESUS  18  COMING. 


Tribulation  is  pre-millemrial,  or  before  the  reign  of  peace.* 
See  also  the  diagram  on  page  seventy-two.  Therefore  the 
coming  is  pre-millennial. 

No.  in.    A  Persecuted  Church. 

The  true  Church  is  a  persecuted,  suffering,  cross-bearing 
people*  thereunto  appointed,6  so  that  "all  that  will  live 
godly  in  Christ  Jesus  shall  suffer  persecution"  (2  Tun. 
3:12),  and  this  will  continue  until  Christ  comes,6  which 
precludes  any  Millennium  until  after  His  coming. 

No.  IV.    Tares  and  Wieat. 

We  are  nowhere  in  the  New  Testament  directed  to  look 
for  the  Millennium  before  the  coming  of  Christ.  But  we 


sign  of  the  Son  of  man  in 
heaven :  and  then  shall  all  the 
tribes  of  the  earth  mourn,  and 
they  shall  see  the  Son  of  man 
coming  in  the  clouds  of  heaven 
with  power  and  great  glory. 

(3)  Mat     24:21.      For     then 
shall   be  great  tribulation,   such 
as  was  not  since  the  beginning 
of    the   world   to   this   time,   no, 
nor  ever  shall  be. 

Isa.  24:20.  The  earth  shall 
reel  to  and  fro  like  a  drunkard, 
and  shall  be  removed  like  a  cot- 
tage ;  and  the  transgression 
thereof  shall  be  heavy  upon  it; 
and  it  shall  fall,  and  not  rise 
again. 

21.  And  it  shall  come  to  pass 
in  that  day,  that  the  Lord  shall 
punish  the  host  of  the  high  ones 
that  are  on  high,  and  the  kings 
of  the  earth  upon  the  earth. 

22.  And  they  shall  be  gathered 
together,  as  prisoners  are  gath- 
ered   in    the    pit,    and    shall    be 
shut  up  in  the  prison,  and  after 
many  days  shall  they  be  visited. 

23.  Then    the    moon    shall    be 
confounded,        and        the        sun 
ashamed,  when  the  Lord  of  hosts 
shall  reign  in  mount  Zion,  and  in 
Jerusalem,    and    before    his    an- 
cients gloriously. 

Also  Luke  21 :24,  etc. 

(4)  John  15:19.     If  ye  were 


of  the  world,  the  world  would 
love  his  own  ;  but  because  ye  are 
not  of  the  world,  but  I  have 
chosen  you  out  of  the  world, 
therefore  the  world  hateth  you. 

20.  Remember   the   word   that 
I  said  unto  you,  The  servant  to 
not   greater   than    his    lord.      If 
they    have   persecuted    me,    they 
will  also  persecute  you ;  if  they 
have  kept  my  saying,  they  will 
keep  yours  also. 

21.  But   all  these  things  will 
they  do  unto  you  for  my  name's 
sake,  because  they  know  not  him 
that  sent  me. 

Also  John  16  :33. 

(5)  1    Thes.    3:3.      That    no 
man   should  be  moved  by  these 
afflictions:    for   yourselves    know 
that  we  are  appointed  thereunto. 

(6)  2  Thes.  1:7.     And  to  you 
that   are   afflicted    rest   with   us, 
at    the    revelation   of    the    Lord 
Jesus  from  heaven  with  the  an- 
gels   of    his    power    in    naming 
fire, 

8.  Rendering      vengeance      to 
them  that  know  not  God,  and  to 
them   that    obey   not   the  gospel 
of  our  Lord  Jesus : 

9.  Who    shall    suffer    punish- 
ment,   even    eternal    destruction 
from  the  face  of  the  Lord   and 
from  the  glory  of  his  might, 


THE  TARES  AND  WHEAT. 


45 


are  expressly  taught  that  the  tares  and  the  wheat 
grow  together  until  the  end  (of  this  age) ;  that  evil  men 
and  seducers  will  wax  worse  and  worse;  that  as  it  was  in 
the  days  of  Noah  and  Lot,  so  shall  it  be  at  the  coming 
of  the  Son  of  Man^  And  such  is  the  character  and  num- 
ber of  the  tares  that  their  destruction,  before  the  harvest, 
would  endanger  the  children  of  the  kingdom.  Mat.  13:29. 
This  absolutely  precludes  the  idea  of  a  millennial  reign 
of  righteousness  in  this  dispensation. 

From  the  time  that  the  first  Adam  surrendered  the  king- 
dom to  Satan,  the  effort  to  re-establish  it  with  man  has 
been  a  continual  failure,  though  it  was  given  to  Noah,8 


10.  When  be  shall  come  to  be 
glorified  in  bis  saints,  and  to  be 
marvelled  at  in  all  them  that 
believed  (because  our  testimony 
unto  you  was  believed)  in  that 
day. 

(7)  Mat  13  :29.  But  he  said, 
Nay ;  lest  while  ye  gather  up 
the  tares,  ye  root  up  also  the 
wheat  with  them. 

30.  Let  both  grow  together 
until  the  harvest :  and  in  the 
time  of  harvest  I  will  say  to 
the  reapers,  Gather  ye  together 
first  the  tares,  and  bind  them  in 
bundles  to  burn  them :  but 
gather  the  wheat  into  my  barn. 

2  Pet.  3:3.  Knowing  this  first, 
that  there  shall  come  in  the  last 
days  scoffers,  walking  after  their 
own  lusts, 

4.  And  saying,  Where  Is  the 
promise  of  his  coming?  for  since 
the  fathers  fell  asleep,  all  things 
continue  as  they  were  from  the 
beginning  of  the  creation. 

1  Tim.  4:1.     Now  the  Spirit 
speaketh   expressly,   that   in  the 
latter    times    some    shall    depart 
from   the   faith,   giving    heed   to 
seducing  spirits,  and  doctrines  of 
devils. 

2  Tim.    3:13.      But   evil   men 
and    seducers    shall    wax    worse 
and  worse,  deceiving,  and  being 
deceived. 


Luke  17  :26.  And  as  it  was  in 
the  days  of  Noe,  so  shall  it  be 
also  in  the  days  of  the  Son  of 
man. 

27.  They  did  eat,  they  drank, 
they   married    wives,    they   were 
given  in  marriage,  until  the  day 
that   Noe   entered   into   the   ark, 
and    the    flood    came,    and    de- 
stroyed them  all. 

28.  Likewise  also  as  It  was  in 
the   days  of  Lot;   they  did  eat, 
they    drank,    they    bought,    they 
sold,  they  planted,  they  builded; 

29.  But  the  same  day  that  Lot 
went    out    of    Sodom    it    rained 
fire  and  brimstone  from  heaven, 
and  destroyed  them  all. 

30.  Even   thus   shall   it  be   in 
the   day   when   the   Son   of  man 
is  revealed. 

Also  2  Tim.  4:3-4;  Mat  24: 
37-51. 

(8)  Gen.  9:1.  And  God 

blessed  Noah  ana  his  sons,  and 

said  unto  them,  Be  fruitful,  and 

multiply,  and  replenish  the 
earth. 

2.  And  the  fear  of  you  and  the 
dread  of  you  shall  be  upon  every 
beast  of  the  earth,  and  upon 
every  fowl  of  the  air,  upon  all 
that  moveth  upon  the  earth  and 
upon  all  the  fishes  of  the  sea ; 
into  your  hand  are  they  de- 
livered. 


46  JESUS  18  COMING. 

Saul  (1  Sam.  9:16;  13:13),  Nebuchadnezzar9  and  others, 
And  it  will  be  a  failure  in  this  sin-cursed  earth  until  the 
second  Adam,  who  has  overcome  Satan,  shall  return  to 
purify  the  earth  and  establish  the  kingdom  on  resurrection 
ground.  Therefore  there  will  be  no  Millennium  until 
Christ  comes. 

But  while  we  are  not  told  to  look  for  the  Millennium, 
we  are  repeatedly  and  most  solemnly  enjoined  to  look  for 
the  return  of  our  Lord.  So  we  again  conclude  that  His 
return  must  be  pre-millennial. 

No.  V.    The  Literal  Reign  of  Christ. 

The  millennial  kingdom  will  be  a  literal  reign  of  Christ 
on  the  earth,  and  not  simply  a  spiritual  exaltation  of  the 
Church. 

"A  king  shall  reign  in  righteousness"  (Isa,  32:1;  Jer. 
23:1-6),  "upon  the  throne  of  David"10  "in  Jerusalem."11 
The  apostles  shall  sit  upon  the  twelve  thrones  (Mat.  19:28), 
and  the  Saints  shall  reign  upon  the  earth.  Rev.  5:10. 

Speaking  of  the  kingdom,  or  crown  of  Israel,  the  Lord 
God  says :  "I  will  overturn,  overturn,  overturn  it,  and  it 

(9)  Dan.  2:37.    Thou,  O  king,  Son  of  the  Highest:  and  the  Lord 
art  a  king  of  kings :  for  the  God  God    shall    give    unto    him    the 
of    heaven    hath    given    thee    a  throne  of  his  father  David : 
kingdom,    power,    and    strength,  33    And    he   shal,    relgn   over 

and  glory.  the    house    of    Jacob    for    ever ; 

ZB.  And  -wheresoever  the  cnil-  and  of  his  klngdom  tnere  shau 

dren   of    men    dwell,    the   beasts  be  no  end 

of  the  field  and  the  fowls  of  the  n  „ 

heaven  hath  he  given  into  thine  v(11>   Jef-  3  :*7' T  At  ****  time 

hand,  and  hath  made  thee  ruler  thev    shall    call    Jerusalem    the 

over    them   all.      Thou   art   this  throne  of  the  Lord '  and  a11  the 

head  of  gold  nations    shall   be   gathered    unto 

(10)  Isa.  *9:7.      Of    the    in-  "•  to  the  name  of  the  Lord-  to 
crease    of    Ms    government    and  Jerusalem:     neither    shall    they 
peace    there    shall    be    no    end,  wal*  any  more  after  the  imag- 
upon   the  throne  of  David,    and  mation  of  their  evil  heart 
upon   his   kingdom,   to   order   it,  Zech.     14 :16.      And    it    shall 
and   to   establish   it   with   judg-  come    to    pass,    that    every    one 
ment     and     with     justice     from  that    is   left   of   all    the   nations 
henceforth   even   for  ever.     The  which    came    against    Jerusalem 
zeal    of   the   Lord   of  hosts   will  shall  even  go  up   from  year   to 
perform  this.  year   to    worship   the   King,   the 

Luke  1 :32.  He  shall  be  Lord  of  hosts,  and  to  keep  the 
great,  and  shall  be  called  the  feast  of  tabernacles. 


LITERAL  REIGN  OF  CHRIST.  47 

shall  be  no  more,  Until  He  come  whose  right  it  is;  and  I 
will  give  it  Him."  Ezek.  21 :27. 

The  multitude  of  passages  which  bear  upon  this  fact  we 
can  not  even  refer  to.  Dr.  J.  Pye  Smith  says  that  they  are 
far  more  numerous  than  those  which  describe  the  humilia- 
tion and  suffering  of  Christ. 

And  they  are  so  specific,  so  full  of  detail,  so  like  the 
prophecies  concerning  the  first  coming,  in  their  literalness, 
that  our  post-millennial  brethren  are  compelled  to  do  the 
utmost  violence  to  the  laws  of  interpretation  in  the  "spir- 
itualizing" method  with  which  they  meet  this  argument. 

We  believe  that  we  have  the  word  of  prophecy  spoken 
by  "holy  men  of  God,"  "as  they  were  moved  by  the  Holy 
Ghost"  (2  Peter  1:19),  and  that  we  should  direct  our  first 
efforts  toward  understanding  the  literal  sense  (as  it  is 
called),  "which  alone,"  as  Martin  Luther  says,  "is  the  sub- 
stance of  faith  and  of  Christian  theology." 

Jesus  is  in  "heaven,"  at  "the  right  hand  of  God"  (1  Pet. 
3:22),  "upon  the  throne  with  the  Father"  (Psa.  110:1; 
Rev.  3:21),  in  the  Holy  of  Holies,  or  true  Holy  Place 
(Heb.  9:24),  making  intercession  (Rom.  8:34),  for  those 
that  come  unto  God  by  Him.  Heb.  7:25.  But  Heaven 
has  only  received  Him  until  the  time  of  restitution  of  all 
things  which  God  hath  spoken  by  the  mouth  of  all  His 
holy  prophets  (Acts  3:21),  when  He  shall  come  again,  to 
sit  in  the  throne  of  His  Father  David.12 

This  again  proves  His  coming  to  be  pre-millennial.* 

No.  VI.    Argument  From  the  Order  of  the  Resurrection. 

We  believe  we  have  a  conclusive  argument  based  upon 
the  Resurrection,  which  may  be  briefly  stated  as  follows: 

All  the  dead  will  be  raised,  but,  as  Jesus  was  raised  out 
of  the  dead  and  the  rest  of  the  dead  were  left,  so  the  dead 

*For  further  evidence  of  the  distinction  between  the 
Church  and  the  Kingdom,  see  page  83. 

(12)   Acts  3:20.     And  he  shall  tution   of   all    things,   which   God 

send   Jesus   Christ,   which   before  hath  spoken  by  the  mouth  of  all 

was  preached  unto  you  ;  his  holy  prophets  since  the  world 

21.  Whom    the    heaven    must  began, 
receive  until   the  times  of  resti- 


48  JESUS  IS  COMING. 

in  Christ  that  are  His  at  His  coming,  will  be  raised  out  of 
the  dead,  and  the  rest  of  the  dead  will  be  left  until  another 
and  final  resurrection,  and  the  Millennium  will  occur  be- 
tween these  two  resurrections,  thus  clearly  showing  Christ's 
coming  to  be  pre-millennial. 

We  believe  that  any  unprejudiced  mind  will  be  con- 
vinced of  this  by  simply  reading  the  following  passages: 

Order  of  the  Resurrection. 

1  Cor.  15:22-26.  For  as  in  Adam  all  die,  even  so  In  Christ 
shall  all  be  made  alive.  But  every  man  in  his  own  order. 
Christ  the  first  fruits;  afterwards  they  that  are  Christ's  at 

His   coming.     Then   (or  afterwards)    the   end* The   last 

enemy  that  shall  be  destroyed  is  death. 

Dead  in  Christ  Rise  First. 

1  Thes.  4:13-17.  But  I  would  not  have  you  to  be  ignorant, 
brethren,  concerning  them  which  are  asleep,  that  ye  sorrow 
not,  even  as  others  which  have  no  hope.  For  IF  WE  BELIEVE 
that  Jesus  died  and  rose  again,  even  so  them  also  which 

sleep  in  Jesus  will  God  bring  with  Him For  the  Lord 

Himself  shall  descend  from  Heaven  with  a  shout,  with  the 
voice  of  the  archangel,  and  with  the  trump  of  God,  and  the 
dead  in  Christ  shall  rise  first. 

The  First  Resurrection. 

Rev.  20:4-14.  And  I  saw  thrones,  and  they  sat  upon 
them.... and  I  saw  the  souls  of  them  that  were  beheaded 
for  the  witness  of  Jesus,  and  for  the  Word  of  God,  and 
which  had  not  worshipped  the  beast  ....  and  they  lived 
and  reigned  with  Christ  a  thousand  years.  BUT  THE  REST 

OF  THE  DEAD  LIVED  NOT  AGAIN  UNTIL  THE  THOUSAND  YEARS 
WERE  FINISHED.  THIS  IS  THE  FIRST  RESURRECTION.  Blessed 

and  holy  is  he  that  hath  part  in  the  FIRST  RESURRECTION, 
on  such  the  second  death  hath  no  power,  but  they  shall  be 
priests  of  God  and  of  Christ,  and  shall  reign  with  Him  a 
thousand  years.  And  when  the  thousand  years  are  ex- 
pired Satan  shall  be  loosed  out  of  his  prison,  and  shall  go 

out  to  deceive  the  nations And  I  saw  a  GREAT  WHITE 

THRONE,  and  Him  that  sat  on  it,  from  whose  face  the  earth 

*  The  Greek  tiro,  (ita)  here  signifies  next  in  order,  but  not 
necessarily  immediate,  as  will  be  seen  i>y  the  use  of  the 
same  word  in  Mark  4:17,  28;  1  Tim.  2:13.  And  in  this  same 
chapter  (vs.  5-7),  it  is  used  interchangeably  with  ivtim  (epita). 
This  fact  seems  to  have  been  altogether  overlooked  by  Post- 
millenniaWsts  who  have  therefore  entirely  misconstrued  the 
passage. 

When  the  Holy  Spirit  means  immediately  He  uses  efavrij*, 
tvuius  or  trapaxpi}/**  See  Acts  10:33;  Mat.  4:22;  Luke  1:64,  etc. 


ORDER  OF  THE  RESURRECTION.  49 

and  the  heaven  fled  away; And  I  saw  the  dead,   small 

and  great,  stand  before  God; and  the  sea  gave  up  the 

dead  which  were  in  it,  and  death  and  hell  (Hades)  delivered 
up  the  dead  which  were  in  them 

These  three  passages  are  so  plain  that  the  wayfaring 
man  need  not  err  therein. 

In  the  first,  we  are  told  the  order  of  the  resurrection— 
each  "in  his  own  order"  (Gr.  Band.).  The  figure  is  taken 
from  troops  moving  by  bands  or  regiments. 

First,  Christ  ("the  first  born  from  the  dead."  CoL  1: 
18). 

Next,  the  godly,  who  die  in  Christ  and  who  are  His  at 
His  coming. 

Next,  the  end,  when  "the  rest  of  the  dead"  (who  are  not 
Christ's)  shall  come  forth  and  death  itself  be  destroyed. 

The  second  passage  reiterates  and  emphasizes  the  fact 
that  the  dead  in  Christ  shall  rise  first  and  that  they  rise 
when  the  Lord  descends  from  Heaven  with  a  shout.  The 
resurrection  of  the  ungodly  is  not  spoken  of,  for  they  have 
no  part  in  this  blessed  first  resurrection. 

In  the  third  passage  we  have~tne  first  resurrection  com- 
pleted by  the  resurrection  of  the  Tribulation  Saints  (see 
page  101)  and  the  reign  with  'Christ  for  a  thousand 
years  is  stated  to  occur  before  the  rest  of  the  dead  are 
raised.  And  after  the  thousand  years  the  rest  of  the  dead, 
who  lived  not  again  until  the  thousand  years  were  finished, 
stand  before  God,  and  death  and  Hades  deliver  up  the 
dead  in  them. 

This  one  thousand  years  is  the  Millennium  (Latin,  mille 
annum).  What  could  be  plainer  than  this  proof  that 
Christ's  coming  is  to  be  pre-millennial  ?  The  dead  in  Christ 
are  raised  at  His  coming  and  they  are  raised  before  the 
millennium.  Therefore  His  coming  must  be  pre-millenniaL 


60  JESUS  IS  COMING. 

OBJECTIONS  CONSIDERED. 
The  Use  of  Scripture  Passages. 

It  is  objected  that  we  have  no  right  thus  to  bring  to« 
gether  these  passages  from  different  parts  of  the  Word. 

We  answer— why  not1?  Are  they  not  all  inspired1?13  Are 
they  not  all  the  product  of  one  mind?  See  how  plainly  we 
are  taught  that  they  are  all  the  utterances  of  the  Holy 
Spirit.14  And  it  is  clear  that  they  all  relate  to  the  same 
subject,  viz. :  the  resurrection. 

Paul  uses  quotations  in  the  same  manner  in  Rom.  3  to 
prove  that  all  have  sinned,  and  again  in  Rom.  10  to  prove 
the  righteousness  which  is  of  faith,  and  in  Heb.  11  to 
show  the  fruits  of  faith.  We  must  certainly  acknowledge 
the  propriety  of  following  Ms  example. 

Indeed,  the  same  method  of  aggregating  proof  texts  is 
used  and  relied  upon  to  show  the  divinity  of  Christ  and 
every  evangelical  doctrine. 

Only  Souls  Mentioned. 

It  is  objected  that  only  the  souls  are  mentioned  in  Rev. 
20  and  therefore  it  cannot  be  a  literal  resurrection,  but  i& 
only  the  regeneration,  or  spiritual  resurrection  and  present 
life  of  believers  in  Christ. 

(13)  2  Tim.  3:16.     All  Scrip-  things     to     your     remembrance, 
ture   is   given   by    inspiration   of  whatsoever  I  have  said  unto  you. 
God,    and   is   profitable   lor   doc-  John    16 :13       Howbeit    when 
trine,  for  reproof,  for  correction,  he>  tne  gpirit  of  truth>  is  com6( 
for  instruction   in    righteousness.  he  will  guide  you  into  all  truth . 

2  Tim.  3:16  (R.  V.).  Every  for  he  shall  not  speak  of  him. 

scripture  inspired  of  God  is  also  se]f .  but  whatsoever  he  shall 

profitable  for  teaching,  for  re-  hear>  that  shall  he  gpeak .  and 

proof,  for  correction,  for  instruc-  he  win  shew  you  things  to  come 
tion  which  is  in  righteousness: 

17.  That  the  man  of  God  may  *  Cor.  2  :10.  But  God  hath 

be  complete,  furnished  com-  revealed  them  unto  us  by  his 

pTetely  unto  every  good  work.  Spirit:  for  the  Spirit  searcheth 

Or,  Every  scripture  is  inspired  all  things,  yea,  the  deep  things 

of  God  and  profitable.  'oa< 

(14)  John    14:26.      But      the  2  Pet.   1:21.     For  the  proph- 
Comforter,    which    is    the    Holy  ecy  came  not  in  old  time  by  the 
Ghost,    whom    the    Father    will  will    of   man :    but   holy   men   of 
send  in  my  name,  he  shall  teach  God  spake  as   they  were   moved 
you    all    things,    and    bring    all  by  the  Holy   Ghost. 


OBJECTIONS.  51 

The  fallacy  of  this  is  easily  seen,  for  these  holy  dead 
enjoyed  the  spiritual  resurrection  before  they  "were  be- 
headed for  the  witness  of  Jesus."  Clearly,  it  was  because 
of  this  spiritual  life  in  Christ  and  their  faith  in  the  Word 
of  God,  that  they  became  witnesses  for  Jesus  and  refused 
to  worship  the  beast,  or  his  image  or  receive  his  mark, 
and  therefore  they  were  beheaded  (see  chap.  13:11-15). 
Besides,  i/t^as  (psukas— souls)  means  also  life,  person  or 
individual.  See  same  word  in  Acts  2 :41,  "there  were 
added  unto  them  about  three  thousand  souls  (persons)" 
and  in  Acts  7:14;  27:10-37;  1  Cor.  15:45;  1  Pet.  3: 
20;  Rev.  12:11;  16:3,  it  unmistakably  means  persons.15 
A  spirit  could  not  be  beheaded.  Only  a  person  having 
body  and  spirit  could  be  beheaded,  and  such  it  is  evident 
these  were.  But  they  suffered  physical  death ;  that  is,  separ- 
ation of  soul  and  body,  and  became  part  of  the  great  com- 
pany of  the  dead.  The  5th  verse  emphatically  confirms 
this— these  being  that  portion  of  the  dead  ones  (vocpoiv) 
who  lived,  while  "the  rest  of  the  dead  lived  not  again  until 
the  thousand  years  were  finished,"  and  "this  is  the  -first 
resurrection." 

Tn  this  objection  Post-millennialists  manifest  one  of 
their  most  remarkable  inconsistencies.  They  labor  assidu- 
ously to  disprove  the  literalism  of  the  first  resurrection, 
described  in  verses  4-6,  where  Cat"  -zao  =  to  live  and 
dracrrao-is-  anastasis  =  resurrection  are  each  twice  used, 
while  they  hold  that  verses  12  and  13  do  describe  a  literal 
resurrection,  though  neither  zao  nor  anastasis  are  used 
therein.  Consistency  requires  that,  if  either  is  spiritual, 
it  should  be  the  latter.  How  much  better  to  accept  both 
as  literal. 

(15)  Acts    7:14.      Then    sent  longsuffe?  .'ng   of    God   waited    in 

Joseph,     and     called    his    father  the  days  of  Noah,  while  the  ark 

Jacob   to   him,   and   all    his  kin-  was  preparing,  wherein  few,  that 

dred,  threescore  and  fifteen  souls.  is,    eight    souls    were    saved    by 

Acts  27 :37.     And  we  were  in       wa*er- 
all     in     the    ship     two    hundred  Re,v'    16 :3'      And    the    stjcond 

threescore  and  sixteen  souls.  f°gel    poured  out  hls   vlal   uP°n 

the   sea ;    and    it   became    as   the 

1  Pet.  3:20.  Which  sometime  blood  of  a  dead  man:  and  every 
were  disobedient,  when  once  the  living  soul  died  in  the  sea. 


32  JESUS  IS  COMING. 


Spiritual  Life  in  Paradise. 

Equally  fallacious  is  the  interpretation  which  claims  that 
the  first  resurrection  is  the  spiritual  life  of  believers  with 
Christ  in  Paradise  (the  intermediate  place  of  the  holy 
dead).  For  this  spiritual  life  begins,  not  at  death,  but  at 
the  regeneration.  It  begins  with  the  first  exercise  of  faith 
in  Christ.  "He  that  believeth  on  the  Son  hath  everlasting 
life."  John  3:36.  Hath  it  now.  Is  quickened  already 
(Col.  2:13),  and  has  been  raised  (Eph.  2:6;  Col.  3:1), 
and  lives  the  life  he  now  lives  by  the  faith  of  the  Son  of 
God.  Gal.  2:19,  20.  This  spiritual  resurrection  spoken  of 
in  Eph.  2:6;  Col.  2:12,  13;  3:1,  is  expressed  by  words 
entirely  different  from  anastasis,  which  is  used  in  Rev.  20: 
5-6,  and  which  everywhere  in  the  New  Testament  expresses 
a  literal  resurrection. 

Only  the  Beheaded  Mentioned. 

Again  it  is  objected  that  only  the  beheaded  are  men- 
tioned and  those  who  have  specially  to  do  with  the  beast 
and  His  image. 

This  is  true  of  the  latter  part  of  the  verse  only.  And 
we  believe  that  these  are  the  Tribulation  Saints  who  accept 
of  Christ  and  become  His  martyrs  under  the  reign  of  Anti- 
christ,16 after  the  Church  has  been  caught  up  to  meet 

(16)    2  Thes.  2  :1.  Now  we  be-  4.  Who  opposeth   and  exalteth 

seech  you,  brethren,  by  the  com-  himself  above   all  that  is  called 

ing    of    our    Lord    Jesus    Christ,  God,    or   that   is   worshipped ;    so 

and    by    our    gathering    together  that    he    as    God    sitteth    in    the 

unto  him,  temple   of   God,    shewing   himself 

2.  That  ye  be  not  soon  shaken  that  he  is  God. 

In  mind,   or  be  troubled,  neither  6.  Remember     ye     not,     that, 

by   spirit,   nor  by   word,    nor  by  when  I  was  yet  with  you,  I  told 

letter   as    from   us,    as   that  the  you  these  things? 

day  of  Christ  is  at  hand.  6.  And    now    ye    know    what 

3.  Let  no  man  deceive  you  by  withholdeth    that    he    might    be 
any    means:    for   that   day   shall  revealed  in  his  time. 

not   come,    except   there    come   a  7.  For  the  mystery  of  iniquity 

falling  away  first,  and  that  man  doth  already  work :  only  he  who 

of   sin   be   revealed,    the   son  of  now  letteth  will  let,  until  he  b« 

perdition;  taken  out  of  the  way. 


OBJECTIONS. 


53 


Christ  in  the  air.17  (See  page  101.)  But  notice  that  the 
first  part  of  the  verse  speaks  of  some  as  though  they  had 
already  beea  raised.  "And  I  saw  thrones,  and  they  sat 
upon  them,  and  judgment  was  given  unto  them." 

Nothing  is  said  about  the  resurrection  of  these,  because 
they  had  already  been  raised  at  the  Kapture  previous  to 
the  Tribulation. 

They  are  all  ready  to  occupy  the  thrones  and  reign  upon 
the  earth  according  to  the  promises.18  But  John  sees  the 


8.  And  then  shall  that  Wicked 
be  revealed,  whom  the  Lord  shall 
consume   with   the   spirit   of   his 
mouth,    and    shall    destroy    with 
the  brightness  of*  his  coming: 

9.  Even  him,  whose  coming  Is 
after  the  working  of  Satan  with 
axl   power    and    signs   and   lying 
wonders. 

Rev.  13  :11.  And  I  beheld  an- 
other beast  coming  up  out  of  the 
earth ;  and  he  had  two  horns 
like  a  lamb,  and  he  spake  as'  a 
dragon. 

12.  And  he  exerciseth  all  the 
power   of   the   first  beast  before 
him,  and  causeth  the  earth  and 
them  which  dwell  therein  to  wor- 
ship the  first  beast,  whose  deadly 
wound  was  healed. 

13.  And  he   doeth  great  won- 
ders,   so    that    he    maketh    fire 
come   down   from  heaven   on  the 
earth  in  the  sight  of  men, 

14.  And    deceiveth    them    that 
dwell  on  the  earth  by  the  means 
of  those  miracles  which   he  had 
power  to  do  in  the  sight  of  the 
beast ;  saying  to  them  that  dwell 
on    the    earth,    that    they   should 
make    an    image    to    the    beast, 
which  had  the  wound  by  a  sword, 
and  did  live. 

15.  And  he  had  power  to  give 
life  unto  the  image  of  the  beast, 
that    the     image    of    the    beast 
should    both    speak,    and    cause 
that  as  many  as  would  not  wor- 
ship   the    image    of    the    beast 
should   be  killed. 

16.  And   he   causeth   all,    both 
email  and  great,  rich  and  poor, 


free  and  bond,  to  receive  a  mark 
in  their  right  band,  or  in  their 
foreheads : 

17.  And   that   no   man   might 
buy   or   sell,    save    he  that    had 
the   mark,   or   the   name  of   the 
beast,    or    the    number    of    hia 
name. 

18.  Here  Is  wisdom.     Let  him 
that    ham    understanding    count 
the  numoer  of  the  beast:  for  it 
is  the  number  of  a  man ;  and  his 
number    is    Six    hundred    three- 
score and  sis.. 

(17)  1   Thes.   4:16.     For  the 
Lord  himself  shall  descend  from 
heaven    with    a    shout,    with    the 
voice  of  the  archangel,  and  with 
the  trump  of  God :  and  the  dead 
in  Christ  shall  rise  first: 

17.  Then  we  which  are   alive 
and   remain   shall   be   caught   up 
together  with  them  in  the  clouds, 
to  meet  the  Lord  in  the  air :  and 
so    shall    we    ever   be    with    the 
Lord. 

18.  Wherefore  comfort  one  an- 
other with  these  words. 

(18)  Mat.  19:28.     And  Jesus 
said    unto    them,    Verily    I    say 
unto   you,    That   ye    which   have 
followed  me,  in  the  regeneration 
when  the   Son  of  man  shall  sit 
In   the   throne   of    his    glory,    yo 
also      shall      sit     upon      twelve 
thrones,  judging  the  twelve  tribes 
of  Israel. 

1  Cor.  6  :2.  Do  ye  not  know 
that  the  saints  shall  judge  the 
world?  and  if  the  world  shall 
be  judged  by  you,  are  ye  un- 


54 


JESUS  IS  COMING. 


Tribulati9n  Saints  also  raised  to  take  part  in  this  reign  with 
Christ,  which  is  in  perfect  accord  with  the  order  of  the  first 
resurrection. 

CHRIST .  .THE     FIRST     FRUITS. 


Next, 
they  who 

are 

Christ's 

at  His 

Coming. 


The  Church  and  the  Old  Testament  Saints 

who  are  raised  at  the  Rapture  when 

Christ  comes  in  the  air. 


The  Tribulation  Saints  who  are  raised  at  the 
Revelation  when  Christ  comes 
to  the  earth. 


The  Last  Day. 

Again  we  hear  it  objected  that  Christ  said  He  would 
raise  up  those  who  believe  in  Him  at  the  last  day  (John 
6:39,  40,  44,  54),  and  if  it  is  at  the  last  day  there  can 
not  follow  a  thousand  years  before  the  unbelievers  are 
raised.  But  Peter  says  "one  day  is  with  the  Lord  as  a 
thousand  years  and  a  thousand  years  as  one  day."  2  Pet. 
3:8.  This  is  the  great  Millennial  day  ushered  in  and  end- 
ing with  resurrection  and  judgment,  and  during  which 
Christ  shall  rule  the  nations  and  judge  the  world  in  right- 
eousness.19 


worthy  to  judge  the  smallest 
matters  ? 

3.  Know  ye  not  that  we  shall 
Judge  angels?  how  much  more 
things  that  pertain  to  this  life? 

Rev.  3  :21.  To  him  that  over- 
cometh  will  I  grant  to  sit  with 
me  in  my  throne,  even  as  I  also 
overcame,  and  am  set  down  with 
my  Father  in  his  throne. 

(19)  Acts  17:31.  Because  he 
hath  appointed  a  day,  in  the 
which  he  will  judge  the  world 
in  righteousness  by  that  man 
whom  he  hath  ordained ;  whereof 


he  hath  given  assurance  unto 
all  men,  in  that  he  hath  raised 
him  from  the  dead. 

Isa.  11 :9.  They  shall  not 
hurt  nor  destroy  In  all  my  holy 
mountain :  for  the  earth  shall  be 
full  of  the  knowledge  of  the 
Lord,  as  the  waters  cover  the 
sea. 

10.  And    in    that    day    there 
shall   be   a  root  of   Jesse,   which 
shall  stand  for  an  ensign  of  the 
people ;   to   it   shall   the   Gentiles 
seek :   and  his  rest  shall  be  glo- 
rious. 

11.  And  it  shall  come  to  pass 
in  that  day,  that  the  Lord  shall 


THAT  DAY.  65 

It  is  "the  day  of  an  age"  as  the  Holy  Spirit  designates 
it  in  2  Pet.  3:18.  See  the  Greek  "  yfj.cpav  aioivos " 
(heemeran  aionos).  In  harmony  with  this  we  find  that 
the  same  word  rj^epa  (heemera — day)  signifies  "a  long 
period,"  in  John  8:56}  9:4;  Rom.  10:21;  2  Cor.  6:2;  Heb. 
4:7-8. 

"That  Day  " 

is  the  key  to  the  book  of  Isaiah  and  many  of  the  other 
prophets.  Note  how  frequently  it  occurs.  Isa.  2:11;  3:7, 
18;  4:1,  2;  5:30;  7:18,  20,  21,  23;  10:27,  etc.;  Jer.  25:33; 
Ezek.  38:14,  16;  39:11;  48:35;  Joel  3:18;  Amos  9:11; 
Mieah  4:6;  7:11,  12;  Zeph.  3:11,  16;  Hag.  2:23;  Zech. 
9:16;  12:3,  4,  6,  8,  9,  11;  13:1,  2,  4;  14:6,  8,  13,  21; 
Mai.  3:17;  Mat.  7:22;  24:36;  Mark  13:32;  Lu.  21:34. 

See  how  plainly  it  is  identified  with  the  Day  of  the 
Lord.  Compare  Isa.  2:12  with  20.  "For  the  day  of  the 
Lord  of  hosts  shall  be  upon  every  one  that  is  proud  'and 
lofty.  ....  In  that  day  a  man  shall  cast  his  idols 

to  the  moles  and  bats."  Also  Zeph.  1:14,  15. 

"The  great  day  of  the  Lord  is  near  .  .  .  that  day  is  a 
day  of  wrath." 

See  the  same  in  Zech.  14  :l-4. 

In  Hosea  6:2  we  read  "After  two  days  will  He  revive 
as;  in  the  third  day  He  will  raise  us  up."  These  are  evi- 
dently three  days  of  one  thousand  years  each,  for  "one 
day  is  with  the  Lord  as  a  thousand  years."  So  "that  day" 
is  doubtless  the  last  thousand  year  day  of  God's  great 
week  of  aions  (ages).  See  page  218. 

Mentioned  in  Same  Verse. 

Again  it  is  objected  that,  while  there  will  be  a  great  dif- 
ference in  the  character  of  the  resurrection  of  the  just  and 
of  the  unjust,  yet  they  must  be  simultaneous  in  time,  for 

set   his    band    again    the    second  Gush,  and  from  Elam,  and  from 

time   to   recover   the   remnant  of  Shinar,    and    from   Hamath,    and 

his    people,    which    shall    be    left  from  the  Islands  of  the  sea. 

from   Assyria,    and    from    Egypt,  ^Iso  Rev.   2 :27. 
and     from     Pathros,     and     from 


66 


JESUS  IS  COMING. 


both  are  mentioned  in  conjunction,  that  is  in  the  same 
verse.20 

But  Jesus  has  taught  us  that  this  objection  has  no  force, 
by  giving  us  a  remarkable  example  to  the  contrary.  In 
Luke  4:16-21,  we  read,  that  He  opened  the  book,  found  the 
place  and  read  from  Isa.  61,21  to  the  comma  (or  division 
of  clauses)  in  verse  2,  and  closed  the  book,  saying:  "This 
day  is  this  Scripture  fulfilled  in  your  ears."  Why  did  He 
stop  there?  Because  the  time  had  not  come  to  proclaim 
"the  day  of  vengeance."  That  comma  has  been  over 
eighteen  centuries  long  and  will  continue  until  Christ  (hav- 
ing gathered  His  saints,  1  Thes.  4 :16-17)  shall  appear  with 
them  executing  vengeance  on  the  ungodly.  2  Thes.  1 :7-10 ; 
Jude  14,  15.  Therefore,  Jesus,  Himself,  having  taught  us, 
that  two  events,  stated  consecutively  in  Isa.  61:2,  are  sep- 


(20)  Dan.    12 :2.      And    many 
of  them  that  sleep  in  the  dust  of 
the   earth   shall   awake,    some   to 
everlasting    life,     and     some    to 
shame  and  everlasting  contempt. 

John  5 :29.  And  shall  come 
forth ;  they  that  have  done  good, 
unto  the  resurrection  of  life ; 
and  they  that  have  done  evil, 
unto  the  resurrection  of  damna- 
tion. 

Acts.  24 :15.  And  have  hope 
toward  God,  which  they  them- 
selves also  allow,  that  there 
shall  be  a  resurrection  of  the 
dead,  both  of  the  just  and  un- 
just. 

(21)  Isa.  61 :1.    The  Spirit  of 
the   Lord  God  is   upon  me;  be- 
cause the  Lord  hath  anointed  me 
to  preach  good  tidings  unto  the 
meek ;  he  hath  sent  me  to  bind 
up   the   broken-hearted,    to   pro- 
claim liberty  to  the  captives,  and 
the    opening    of    the    prison    to 
them   that   are   bound ; 

2.  To  proclaim  the  acceptable 
year   of   the   Lord,    and   the   day 
of  vengeance  of  our  God ;  to  com- 
fort all  that  mourn ; 

3.  To  appoint  unto  them  that 
mourn  in  Zion,  to  give  unto  them 
beauty   for  ashes,  the  oil  of  joy 
for    mourning,    the    garment    of 
praise    for    the    spirit    of    heavi- 
ness ;  that  they  might  be  called 


Trees  of  righteousness.  The 
planting  of  the  Lord,  that  he 
might  be  glorified. 

Luke  4 :16.  And  he  came  to 
Nazareth,  where  he  had  been 
brought  up :  and,  as  his  custom 
was,  he  went  into  the  synagogue 
on  the  sabbath  day.  and  stood 
up  for  to  read. 

17.  And    there    was    delivered 
unto  him  the  book  of  the  prophet 
Esaias.       And     when     he     had 
opened  the   book,    he   found   the 
place  where  it  was  written, 

18.  The  Spirit  of  the  Lord  is 
upon     me,      because      he     hath 
anointed  me  to   preach  the  gos- 
pel to  the  poor  ;  he  bath  sent  me 
to    heal    the    broken-hearted,    to 
preach    deliverance    to    the    cap- 
tives, and  recovering  of  sight  to 
the  blind,  to  set  at  liberty  them 
that  are  bruised, 

19.  To    preach    the    acceptable 
year  of  the  Lord. 

20.  And    he    closed    the   book, 
and    he    gave    it    again    to    the 
minister,  and  sat  down.    And  the 
eyes   of   all   them   that  were   in 
the  synagogue  were  fastened  on 
him. 

21.  And  he  began  to  say  unto 
them.  This  day  is  this  Scripture 
fulfilled  in  your  ears. 


•      OBJECTIONS.  57 

arated  by  more  than  eighteen  hundred  years,  surely  we 
should  respect  God's  Word,  when  it  so  plainly  states  that 
there  will  be  a  period  of  a  thousand  years  between  the 
resurrection  of  the  "blessed  and  holy,"— and  that  of  "the 
rest  of  the  dead." 

The  word  &pa  (hora — hour)  which  Jesus  used  in  John 
5:28  is  the  same  word  as  that  used  in  verse  25.22  The 
latter  we  all  believe  has  been  over  eighteen  hundred  years 
long.  Why,  then  may  not  the  former  be  at  least  a 
thousand  years  long  and  thus  perfectly  harmonize  with 
Rev.  20?  See  also  John  4:21,  23  and  Rom.  13:11  (high 
time  =  topa  =  it  is  already  the  hour)  in  each  of  which 
hour  signifies  a  long  period. 

Tregelles— who  is  supported  by  the  Jewish  commenta- 
tors—renders Dan.  12:2  as  follows: 

"And  many  from  among  the  sleepers  of  the  dust  of 
the  earth  shall  awake;  these  shall  be  unto  everlasting  life; 
but  those  (the  rest  of  the  sleepers  who  do  not  awake  at 
this  time)  shall  be  unto  shame."  (See  Jamieson,  Fausset 
and  Brown  on  this  passage.)  It  is  needless  to  add  that  this 
most  intensely  confirms  the  doctrine  of  the  first  resurrec- 
tion. 

Only  One  Text. 

Lastly  it  is  objected  that  a  difference  in  time  for  the 
resurrection  of  the  just  from  that  of  the  unjust  is  stated 
in  only  one  place  in  the  Word,  to- wit:  Rev.  20,  and  that 
this  is  a  book  so  symbolical,  that  we  must  not  rely  upon 
it  for  such  an  important  fact. 

Only  one  place  indeed!  But  is  not  that  enough?  Why! 
the  existence  of  all  light  rests  upon  the  single  sentence  in 
Gen.  1:3,23  and  it  rests  safely,  because  God  spoke  those 
words.  The  most  marvelous  fact,  in  connection  with  our 
Lord's  first  appearing,  was  the  immaculate  conception.  It 

(22)    John  5:25.     Verily,  ver-  hour    is    coming,    In    the    which 

ily,  I  s-ay  unto  you,  The  hour  is  all  that  are  in  the  graves  shall 

coming,    and    now    is,    when    the  hear    his   voice, 
dead  shall  hear  the  voice  of  the  (23)   Gen    ±  .3      An(J  Go(J      ,d 

Son  of  God ;  and  they  that  hear  Let  there  be  lignt .  and  there       ^ 

shall  live.  n  ht 

28.  Marvel  not  at  this :  for  the 


58  JESUS  IS  COMING. 

has  caused  suspicion  of  Mary's  character,  and  it  calls  for 
the  greatest  exercise  of  faith  to  believe  in  the  Holy  Ghost 
Fatherhood  of  her  Son.  It  professes  the  holiest  purity 
where  the  world  can  see  only  fornication  and  shame.  And 
yet  this  astonishing  event  rested  for  centuries  upon  a 
single  passage  of  prophecy,  "Behold  a  virgin  shall  con- 
ceive and  bear  a  son."  Isa.  7:14,  and  although  it  was 
given  by  jthe  Lord  to  the  Jews  as  a  special  and  important 
«ign  they  will  not  rely  upon  it,  because  it  occurs  in  a 
poetical  book,  and  so  they  reject  the  Babe  of  Bethlehem. 

But  shall  we,— who  believe  that  Isa.  7:14  has  been 
literally  fulfilled— condemn  the  Jews  for  not  accepting  it, 
and  yet  justify  ourselves  in  rejecting  the  literal  fulfillment 
of  this  plain  statement  in  Rev.  20?  God  forbid.  Remem- 
ber that  He  says,  "Behold  I  come  quickly;  blessed  is  he 
that  keepeth  the  sayings  of  the  prophecy  of  this  book." 
Rev.  22:7;  1:3.  Oh  then  let  us  earnestly  entreat  you,  to 
heed  this  one  passage  even  though  it  may  pierce  through  . 
your  established  opinions.24  Don't  reject  it.  Don't  pervert 
its  simple  teaching,  for  it  is  God's  holy  Word  of  prophecy 
and  is  as  immovable  as  the  rocky  fastness  of  the  moun- 
tains— yea  more — for  these  shall  pass  away  "but  the 
Word  of  the  Lord  endureth  forever." 

Dean  Alford's  Comments. 

And  here,  dear  reader,  let  us  invite  your  careful  atten- 
tion to  Dean  Alford's  comment  upon  this  passage,  viz.: 
"this  is  the  first  resurrection."  He  says :  "It  will  have  been 
long  ago  anticipated  by  the  readers  of  this  commentary, 
that  I  cannot  consent  to  distort  its  words  from  their  plain 
sense  and  chronological  place  in  the  prophecy,  on  account 
of  any  considerations  of  difficulty,  or  any  risk  of  abuses 
which  the  doctrine  of  the  Millennium  may  bring  with  it. 
Those  who  lived  next  to  the  Apostles,  and  the  whole 
Church  for  three  hundred  years,  understood  them  in  the 
plain  literal  sense;  and  it  is  a  strange  sight  in  these  days 

(24)   Heb.  4:12.  For  the  word  viding  asunder  of  soul  and  spirit, 

of   God   is   quick,    and    powerful,  and    of   the   joints    and    marrow, 

and  sharper  than  any  twoedged  and     is     a    discerner     of     the 

sword,  piercing  even  to  the  di-  thoughts  and  intents  of  the  heart 


DEAN   ALFORD'S   COMMENT.  59 

to  see  expositors  who  are  among  the  first  in  reverence  of 
antiquity,  complacently  casting  aside  the  most  cogent  in- 
stance of  unanimity  which  primitive  antiquity  presents. 
As  regards  the  text  itself,  no  legitimate  treatment  of  it 
will  extort  what  is  known  as  the  spiritual  interpretation 
now  in  fashion.  If,  in  a  passage  where  two  resurrections 
are  mentioned,  where  certain  souls  lived  at  the  first,  and 
the  rest  of  the  dead  lived  only  at  the  end  of  a  specified 
period  after  that  first,  if  in  such  a  passage,  the  first  resur- 
rection may  be  understood  to  mean  spiritual  rising  with 
Christ,  while  the  second  means  literal  'rising  from  the 
grave;  then  there  is  an  end  of  all  significance  in  language, 
and  Scripture  is  wiped  out  as  a  definite  testimony  to  any- 
thing. If  the  first  resurrection  is  spiritual,  then  so  is  the 
second,  which  I  suppose  no  one  will  be  hardy  enough  to 
maintain.  But  if  the  second  is  literal,  then  so  is  the  first, 
which  in  common  with  the  whole  primitive  church  and 
many  of  the  best  modern  expositors,  I  do  maintain  and 
receive  as  an  article  of  faith  and  hope."* 

Resurrection  From  the  Bead. 

Now  if  Christ  is  coming  to  raise  the  righteous  a  thou- 
sand years  before  the  ungodly,  it  would  be  natural  and  im- 
perative that  the  former  should  be  called  a  resurrection 
from,  or  out  of  the  dead,  the  rest  of  the  dead  being  left 
until  after  the  thousand  years.  We  rejoice  therefore  that 
this  is  just  what  is  most  carefully  done  in  the  Word,  and  in 
this  we  believe  we  have  another  most  comprehensive  and 
definite  proof  of  the  pre-millennial  coming  of  Christ.  It 
consists  in  the  use  made,  in  the  Greek  text  of  the  words 
fKV€KpS>v  (ek  nekron). 

These  words  signify  "from  the  dead"  or,  out  of  the 
dead,  implying  that  the  other  dead  are  left. 

The  resurrection  vocpw  or  ru>v  vocpw  (nekron,  or  ton 
nekron-of  the  dead)  is  applied  to  both  classes  because  all 

*See  also  the  quotations  .from  distinguished  authorities, 
both  English  and  German  given  as  critical  testimonies  in 
the  appendix  to  Pre-millennial  Essays,  published  by  F.  H. 
Revell.  Chicago,  111. 


60  JE8VS  IS  COMING. 

will  be  raised.  But  the  resurrection  «c  vocpwv  (ek  nekron 
=  out  of  the  dead)  is  not  once  applied  to  the  ungodly.* 

The  latter  phrase  is  used  altogether  49  times,  to- wit: 

34  times,  to  express  Christ's  resurrection,  whom  we 
know  was  thus  raised  out  of  the  dead.^ 

3  times,  to  express  John's  supposed  resurrection,  who, 
as  Herod  thought,  had  been  thus  raised  out  of  the  dead.\ 

3  times,  to  express  the  resurrection  of  Lazarus,  who  was 
also  raised  out  of  the  dead.\\ 

3  times,  it  is  used  figuratively,  to  express  spiritual  life 
out  of  the  deadness  of  sin. 

Rom.  6:13:  "As  those  that  are  alive  from  the  dead"; 
11:15:  "Life  from  the  dead." 

Eph.  5:14:  "Arise  from  the  dead." 

It  is  used  in  Luke  16:31.  Parable  of  the  rich  man. 
"Though  one  rose  from  the  dead." 

And  in  Heb.  11:19.  Abraham's  faith  that  God  could 
raise  Isaac  from  the  dead. 

And  the  remaining  4  times  it  is  used  to  express  a  future 
resurrection  out  of  the  dead,  namely,  in  Mark  12 :25,  where 
Jesus  says:  "When  they  shall  rise  from  the  dead  (In 
veKpwv )  they  neither  marry,  nor  are  given  in  marriage ;  but 
are  as  the  angels  which  are  in  heaven,"  and  in  Luke  20 :35- 
36.  "But  they  which  shall  be  accounted  worthy  to  ob- 
tain that  world,  and  the  resurrection  which  is  from  among 
(the)  dead  (rrjor  dvoorao-ccos  Tr)<r  IK  vfKp&v),  neither  mar- 
ry, nor  are  given  in  marriage;  neither  can  they  die  any 
more;  for  they  are  equal  unto  the  angels;  and  are  the  chil- 
dren of  God,  being  the  children  of  the  resurrection. 

•Mat.  22:31;  Acts  17:32;  23:6;  24:15,  21;  1  Cor.  15:12,  13,  21, 
42  and  especially  John  5:28-29  (R.  V.):  28.  Marvel  not  at  this: 
for  the  hour  cometh.  in  which  all  that  are  in  the  tombs 
shall  hear  his  voice,  29  and  shall  come  forth;  they  that  have 
done  good,  unto  the  resurrection  of  life;  and  they  that  have 
done  evil,  unto  the  resurrection  of  judgment. 

tMat.  17:9;  Mark  9:9-10;  Luke  24:46;  John  2:22;  20:9;  21:14; 
Acts  8:15;  4:10;  10:41;  13:30;  13:34;  17:3;  17:31;  26:23;  Rom. 
1:4;  4:24;  6:4-9;  7:4;  8:11;  10:7,  9;  1  Cor.  15:12,  20;  Gal.  1:1; 
Eph.  1:20;  Col.  1:18;  2:12;  1  Thes.  1:10;  2  Tim.  2:8;  Heb.  13:20; 
1  Pet.  1:3,  21. 

tMark  6:14,  16;  Luke  9:7. 

II John  12:1,  9,  17. 


RESURRECTION  FROM  THE  DEAD.      61 

In  Acts  4:1-2:  The  Sadducees  were  grieved  because 
Peter  and  John  "preached,  through  Jesus,  the  resurrection 
which  is  from  among  (the)  dead"  (rnv  &vaxTTa<nv  TTJV  CK 


And  in  Phil.  3  :11,  it  is  used  in  a  manner  remarkably  sig- 
nificant. Our  version  renders  it,  "resurrection  of  the 
dead,"  which  is  especially  wrong,  tor  the  Greek  preposi- 
tion ek  occurs  here  in  a  duplicate  form,  in  all  the  oldest 
manuscripts.*  The  phrase  is  TTJV  elavaoToo-iv  -njv  «c  VCK/XO?  | 
(teen  exanastasin  teen  ek  nekron),  and  the  literal  transla- 
tion is  the  out  resurrection  from  among  the  dead,  which 
peculiar  construction  of  language  gives  a  special  empha- 
sis to  the  idea  that  this  is  a  resurrection  out  from  among 
the  dead. 

These  passages  clearly  show,  that  there  is  yet  to  be  a 
resurrection  out  of  the  dead;  that  is,  that  part  of  the  dead 
will  be  raised,  before  all  are  raised.  Olshausen  declares 
that  the  "phrase  would  be  inexplicable  if  it  were  not  de- 
rived from  the  idea  that  out  of  the  mass  of  the  dead  some 
would  rise  first.";}: 

That  no  unrighteous  have  part  in  this  "first  resurrection" 
is  evident  from  Luke  20:36:  they  "are  the  children  of 
God"  and  "equal  unto  the  angels." 

It  is  the  resurrection  of  a  select  class  only,  viz.:  the 
righteous,  and  therefore  Jesus  calls  it  the  resurrection  of 
the  just.  Luke  14:14,—  "And  thou  shalt  be  blessed;  for 
they  can  not  recompense  thee:  for  thou  shalt  be  recom- 
pensed at  the  resurrection  of  the  just." 

Paul  calls  it  the  better  resurrection.25  It  is  the  resur- 
rection of  those  that  are  Christ's  at  his  coming,26  "the  dead 
in  Christ,"  who  shall  "rise  first."27 

*See  Jamlepon,  Fausset  and  Brown,  Alford.  and  Dr.  Adam 
Clark. 

tGreek  text.  Tlschendorf  and  Alford. 
*Vol.  2,  p.  183  Am.  Ed. 

(25)  Heb.  11:35.     Women  re-  man  in  his  own  order:     Christ 
ceived   their  dead   raised  to  life  the    flrstfruits  ;    afterward    they 
again  ;  and'  others  were  tortured,  that  are  Christ's  at  his  coming. 
not    accepting    deliverance;    that  (27)    1    Thes.    4:16.      For  the 
they  might  obtain  a  better  resur-  Lord  himself  shall  descend  from 
rection.  heaven    with    a    shout,    with    the 

(26)  1  Cor.  15:23.    But  every  voice  of  the  archangel,  and  with 


62  JESUS  IS  COMING. 


The  First  Resurrection. 

"Blessed  and  holy  is  he  that  hath  part  in  the  first  resur- 
rection." Eev.  20:6. 

Paul,  as  a  Pharisee,  believed  in  the  general  fact  of  the 
resurrection.28  But  we  see  from  the  foregoing,  why  he 
counted  all  things  but  loss  that  he  might  win  Christ, 
.  .  .  and  know  Him,  and  the  power  of  His  resurrec- 
tion, and  the  fellowship  of  His  sufferings,  .  .  .  if  by 
any  means  he  might  attain  unto  the  out  resurrection  from 
among  the  dead.  Phil.  3 :8-ll. 

And  we  see  also,  why  the  three  favored  disciples  wen> 
"questioning  one  with  another  what  the  rising  from  the 
dead  should  mean."29  They  understood  perfectly,  what 
the  resurrection  of  the  dead  meant,  for  this  was  a  com- 
monly accepted  doctrine  of  the  Jews.30  But  the  resurrec- 
tion from  the  dead  was  a  new  revelation  to  them. 

And  it  is  an  important  revelation  to  us,  for  it  is  "the 
resurrection  of  life."31  • 

But  there  is  also  to  be  a  resurrection  of  judgment  (so 
the  Greek).  John  5:29.  It  is  the  resurrection  of  the  un- 
just.32 It  is  the  completion  of  the  resurrection  (voc/aw  or 

the  trump  of  God:  and  the  dead  (30)  Heb.    6:2.     Of  the   doc- 

in  Christ  shall  rise  first :  trine  of  baptisms,  and  of  laying 

(28)  Acts    23:6.       But    when  on  of  hands,  and  of  resurrection 
Paul  perceived  that  the  one  part  of  the  dead,  and  of  eternal  judg- 
were    Sadducees,    and    the    other  ment. 

Pharisees,    he    cried    out    in   the  (31)   John   5 :29.      And     shall 

council,  Men  and  brethren,  I  am  come  forth  ;  they  that  have  done 

a  Pharisee,  the  son  of  a  Phari-  good,    unto    the    resurrection    of 

see :    of   the   hope   and   resurrec-  life ;    and    they    that    have    done 

tion  of  the  dead  I  am  called  in  evil,     unto    the    resurrection    of 

question.                        ,  damnation  (judgment). 

7.  And  when  he  had   so   said,  Dan.  12  :2.     And  many  of  them 
there  arose  a  dissension  between  that»  sleep    in    the    dust    of    the 
the  Pharisees  and  the  Sadducees ;  earth  shall  awake,  some  to  ever- 
and  the  multitude  was  divided.  lasting  life,   and  some  to  shame 

8.  For  the  Sadducees  say  that  and  everlasting  contempt. 

there  is  no  resurrection,  neither  (32)   Acts    24:15.      And    have 

angel,  nor  spirit :  but  the  Phari-  hope    toward    God,     which    they 

sees  confess  both.  themselves  also  allow,  that  there 

(29)  Mark    9:10.       And    they  shall    be    a    resurrection    of    the 
kept  that  saying  with  themselves,  dead,   both   of   the   just   and   un- 
questioning    one     with     another  just. 

what   the    rising   from   the    dead  Rev.    20 :12.      And    I    saw   the 

should  mean.  dead,  small  and  great,  stand  be- 


WATCHING.  63 

TO>V  vocpwv)  of  the  dead.  Hence  we  see  there  is  a  difference 
in  time  as  well  as  in  character  in  the  order  of  the  resurrec- 
tion; the  first  being  that  of  the  just,  and  the  second  that 
of  the  unjust;  and  this  difference  in  time  is  perfectly  in 
accordance  with  the  account  in  Rev.  20,  where  the  interval 
is  stated  to  be  the  1000  years  of  the  Millennial  kingdom. 
And  as  Christ  comes  at  the  resurrection  of  the  just,  or 
those  who  sleep  in  Him  (1  Thes.  4:13-16),  His  coming 
must  be  pre-millennial.* 

No.  VII.   WatcMng. 

We  are  commanded  to  watch  for  His  coming. 

Again  and  again  did  Jesus  tell  His  disciples  to  watch  9 
He  said:  "Watch  therefore,  for  ye  know  not  what  hour 
your  Lord  doth  come."  Mat.  24:42.  "Watch  therefore, 
for  ye  know  neither  the  day  nor  the  hour."  Mat.  25:13. 
Adding,  "And,  what  I  say  unto  you,  I  say  unto  all, — 
Watch."  Mark  13 :35-37.  He  places  especial  emphasis  on 
the  word  Watch,  particularly  in  Rev.  16 :15,  "Blessed  is  he 
that  Watcheth."  (See  Greek.) 

Now  it  is  absolutely  inconsistent  with  the  constitution  ' 
of  the  human  mind,  thus  to  watch  for  an  event  which  we 
believe  to  be  one  thousand  years  or  more  in  the  future. 

And  yet  this  is  just  the  position  which  Post-millennial-, 
ists  are  forced  to  take. 


*We  humbly  invite  a  candid  and  prayerful  consideration 
of  the  above  argument,  on  the  part  of  Greek  students. 

Dr.  David  Brown  quite  superficially  disposes  of  it  by  the 
erroneous  presumption  that  Pre-millenarians  apply  the 
resurrection  (vexpwv  or TWI>  vfuplav),  of  the  dead,  only  to 
the  ungodly.  Whereas,  we  hold  that  it  embraces  all,  even 
Christ  Himself,  but  that  (« veKpS>v)  from  the  dead  ap- 
plies only  to  the  select  class  who  have  part  in  the  first 
resurrection.  Again  is  he  wrong  in  his  citation  of  the  texts 
Mark  9:9-10;  Acts  10:41;  13:34;  26:23,  and  Rom.  1:4,  each  of 
which,  according  to  Griesbach  have  c*  vexpav  or  «f  dvao-rdo-eio? 
vtupuv.  Second  Advent,  p.  198. 

fore   God ;    and    the   books    were  13.  And  the  sea  gave  up  the 

opened  ;    and    another    book    was  dead  which  were  In  it ;  and  death 

opened,  which  Is  the  book  of  life :  and   hell    delivered    up    the   dead 

and  the  dead  were  judged  out  of  which   were    in    them :    and   they 

those  things  which  were  written  were   judged   every   man   accord- 

in  the  books,   according  to  their  ing  to  their  works, 
works. 


64  JESUS  IS  COMING. 

Matthew  Henry,  commenting  on  Luke  12:45,  says:  "Our 
looking  at  Christ's  second  coming  as  a  thing  at  a  distance 
is  the  cause  of  all  those  irregularities  which  render  the 
thought  of  it  terrible  to  us."  And  on  watching,  he  says: 
"To  watch  implies  not  only  to  believe  that  our  Lord  will 
come,  but  to  desire  that  He  would  come,  to  be  often  think- 
ing of  His  coming,  and1  always  looking  for  it  as  sure  and 
near,  and  the  time  of  it  uncertain." 

As  followers  of  Christ  we  are  compared  to  soldiers,  fight- 
ing the  fight  of  faith  (1  Tim.  1:18;  6:12;  2  Tim.  2:3; 
4:7),  and  perhaps  no  better  illustration  could  be  given  us 
of  watching,  than  that  of  picket  duty  in  the  army. 

Old  soldiers  know  that  out  on  the  skirmish  line  it  is 
full  of  life  and  excitement,  because  they  are  watching  for 
something  immediately  possible.  But  in  camp  it  is  a  dull, 
soulless  drudgery,  because  they  are  expecting  nothing  until 
the  outer  pickets,  perhaps  five  or  six  miles  away,  are  driven 
in. 

How  intensely  do  we  increase  this  difference  in  watch- 
ing, if  we  separate  the  pickets  by  a  thousand  years.  And 
this  is  what  post-millennialism  does. 

We  believe  this  argument  appeals  to  the  common  sense 
of  every  person,  and  we  pray  God  that  these  seven  argu- 
ments may  be  blessed  to  the  perfecting  of  that  which  is 
lacking  in  your  faith.33 

He  is  faithfu'  that  hath  promised,  an'  He'll  surely  come 

again, 

He'll  keep  his  tryst  wi'  me,  at  what  hour  I  dinna  ken; 
But  he  bids  me  still  to  wait,  an'  ready  aye  to  be, 
To  gang  at  ony  moment  to  my  ain  countrie. 

So  I'm  WATCHING  aye,  and  singing  o'  my  hame  as  I  wait, 
For  the  soun'ing  0'  His  footfa'  this  side  the  gowden  gate, 
For  His  bluid  hath  made  me  white,  and  His  hand  shall 

dry  my  e'e 
When  He  brings  me  hame  at  last  to  my  ain  countrie. 

(33)   1  Thes.   3:9.      For  what  10.  Night  and  day  praying  ex- 
thanks    can    we    render    to    God  ceedingly  that  we  might  see  your 
again    for   you,    for    all    the    joy  face,     and     might     perfect     that 
wherewith  we  joy  for  your  sakes  which  is  lacking  in  your  faith? 
before  our  God; 


CONTINUE  TO  WATCtf.  65 

True  watching  is  an  attitude  of  mind  and  heart  which 
would  joyfully  and  quickly  turn  from  any  occupation  toy 
meet  our  Beloved,  rapturously  exclaiming  "this  is  the  Lord; 
we  have  waited  for  Him."    Isa,  25 :9. 
Continue  to  Watch. 

But,  perhaps,  you  say :  "The  Church  has  been  watching 
for  eighteen  hundred  years  and  He  has  not  come,  and  He> 
may  not  come  for  eighteen  hundred  years  more." 

Well,  possibly  He  may  not ;  but  do  we  know  He  will  not  ? 
and  shall  we  set  a  date  for  His  coming?  and  cease  to 
watch? 

Post-millennialists  say  that  He  will  not  come  for  a  thou- 
sand years  or  more,  which  is  equivalent  to  setting  a  date, 
as  it  places  His  coming  out  of  all  possibility  in  our  life- 
time; and  then,  dear  reader,  how  quickly  do  we  lay  down 
our  watching.. 

The  principal  condemnation  pronounced  in  the  Scrip- 
ture, in  regard  to  the  Lord's  return,  is  to  those  who  say 
"My  Lord  delayeth  His  coming."34 

It  is  immeasurably  better  to  be  ready  than  to  be  late.35 

Pre-millennialists  believe  that  He  may  come  any  mo- 
ment, and  that  we  should  ever  be  found  watching  and 
waiting,  with  our  loins  girded  about,  and  our  lights  burn- 
ing, and  ourselves  like  men  that  wait  for  their  Lord.  Lu. 
12:35. 

The  eighteen  hundred  years  which  have  passed  only  make 
"our  salvation"  much  "nearer  than  when  we  believed,"  and 
it  is  "high  time  to  awake  out  of  sleep."    Rom.  13:11. 
A  Little  While. 

There  is  no  prophesied  event  which  has  to  be  fulfilled  be- 
fore His  coming  in  the  air  to  receive  the  Church.  Therefore 

(34)    Mat.   24:48.     But  and  if  51.  And    shall    cut   him   asun- 

that  evil  servant  shall  say  in  his  der,  and  appoint  him  his  portion 

heart,  My  lord  delayeth  his  com-  with  the  hypocrites :   there  shall 

Ing ;  be     weeping    and     gnashing     of 

49.  And   shall  begin   to   smite  teeth. 

his   fellow   servants,   and   to   eat  See  also  Luke  12 :45. 

and  drink  with  the  drunken;  (35)    Mat.   25:10.     And   while 

50.  The    lord    of   that   servant  they  went  to  buy,  the  bridegroom 
shall    ccme    in    a    day    when    he  came ;  and  they  that  were  ready 
looketh  not  for  him,  and   in   an  went    in   with    him   to   the   mar- 
bonr  that  he  is  not  aware  of.  riage :  and  the  door  was  shut 


66  JESUS  IS  COMING. 

we  have  need  of  patience  that  we  may  receive  the  promise: 
"For  yet  a  little  while"  (Greek— very,  very  little  while) 
"and  He  that  shall  come  will  come,  and  will  not  tarry." 
Heb.  10:37. 

"But,"  you  say,  "it  is  not  a  little  while."  Ah !  beloved, 
does  it  seem  long  to  you  from  creation  to  the  flood,  or 
from  the  flood  to  Christ?  The  "little  while"  of  Hag.  2:6- 
7,36  we  believe,  has  not  ended  yet,37  and  it  certainly  covered 
the  five  hundred  years  up  to  Christ's  first  coming.  Re- 
member that  God  speaks  to  you  as  to  an  immortal  soul. 

Wait  until  you  have  realized  a  few  of  the  mighty  cycles 
of  eternity,  and  then  these  eighteen  centuries  will  indeed 
appear  to  be  "a  very,  very  little  while." 

0!  let  us  fix  our  eyes  upon  Jesus.  Let  us  watch  and 
wait  for  the  King  Eternal.38 

The  Faith  of  the  Early  Church. 

It  is  admitted  on  all  sides  that  the  pre-millennial  coming 
of  Christ,  and  His.  reign  with  His  saints  upon  the  earth  a 
thousand  years,  was  the  faith  of  the  early  church.  Indeed, 
this  is  substantiated  by  such  an  abundance  of  evidence, 
that  it  cannot  be  denied. 

We  would  that  we  had  space  to  quote  at  length,  from 
the  many  authorities  on  this  point,  but  must  be  content 
to  select  a  few: 

(36)  Hag.  2  :6.  For  thus  saith  in  Zion,  my  holy  mountain :  then 
the  Lord  of  hosts  ;  Yet  once,  it  is  shall    Jerusalem    be    holy,  and 
a  little  while,  and  I  will  shake  there    shall    no    strangers  pass 
the  heavens,  and  the  earth,  and  through  her  any  more. 

the  sea,  and  the  dry  land;  Heb.  12  :26.  Whose  voice  then 

7.  And   I   will    shake   all   na-  shook    the    earth ;    but    now    he 

tions,  and,  the  Desire  of  all  na-  hath  promised,  saying,  Yet  once 

tions  shall  come:  and  I  will  fill  more  I  shake  not  the  earth  only, 

this  house  with  glory,  saith  the  but  also  heaven. 

Lord  of  hosts.  27.  And  this  word,   Yet   once 

(37)  Joel  3  :16.  The  Lord  also  more,  signifieth  the  removing  ot 
shall  roar  out  of  Zion,  and  ut-  those  things  that  are  shaken,  as 
ter    his    voice    from    Jerusalem ;  of    things    that    are    made,    that 
and  the  heavens  and  the  earth  those    things    which    cannot    be 
shall  shake  :  but  the  Lord  will  be  shaken  may  remain. 

the  hope  of  his  people,  and  the  (38)   1  Tim.   1 :17.  Now  unto 

strength   of   the   children    of   Is-  the   King  eternal,   immortal,    in- 

rael.  visible,    the   only   wise   God,    6e 

17.  So   shall   ye  know  that  I  honour   and   glory   for  ever  and 

am  the  Lord  your  God  dwelling  ever.     Amen. 


FAITH  OF  THE  EARLY  CHURCH.  67 

Mosheim  says:  "The  prevailing  opinion  that  Christ  was 
to  come  and  reign  a  thousand  years  among  men  before  the 
final  dissolution  of  the  world  had  met  with  no  opposition 
previous  to  the  time  of  Origen."  (Vol.  1,  p.  89.) 

Geisler  says:  "In  all  the  works  of  this  period  (the 
first  two  centuries)  Millenarianism  is  so  prominent  that  we 
can  not  hesitate  to  consider  it  as  universal."* 

Chillingworth,  with  his  characteristic  invulnerable  logic, 
argues:  "Whatever  doctrine  is  believed  and  taught  by  the 
most  eminent  Fathers  of  any  age  of  the  Church  and  by 
none  of  their  cotemporaries  opposed  or  condemned,  that 
is  to  be  esteemed  the  Catholic  doctrine  of  the  Church  of 
those  times.  But  the  doctrine  of  the  millenaries  was  be- 
lieved and  taught  by  the  most  eminent  Fathers  of  the  age 
nezt  after  the  Apostles,  and  by  none  of  that  age  opposed 
or  condemned;  therefore,  it  was  the  Catholic  doctrine  of 
those  times."** 

Stackhouse,  in  his  "Complete  Body  of  Divinity"  (Vol. 
1,  p.  597),  says:  "It  cannot  be  denied  but  that  this  doc- 
trine (Millenarianism)  has  its  antiquity,  and  was  once  the 
general  opinion  of  all  orthodox  Christians." 

Bishop  Newton  says:  "The  doctrine  of  the  Millennium 
(as  held  by  Millenarians)  was  generally  believed  in  the 
first  three  and  purest  ages."^ 

Bishop  Russell,  though  an  anti-millenarian,  says :  "Down 
to  the  beginning  of  the  fourth  century,  the  belief  was 
universal  and  undisputed."^. 

Gibbon,  who  is  at  least  an  unprejudiced  witness,  says: 
"The  ancient  and  popular  doctrine  of  the  Millennium  was 
carefully  inculcated  by  a  succession  of  Fathers  from  Justin 
Martyr  and  Irenaeus,  who  conversed  with  the  immediate 
disciples  of  the  Apostles,  down  to  Lactantius,  who  was  the 
preceptor  of  the  son  of  Constantine.  It  appears  to  have 
been  the  reigning  sentiment  of  orthodox  believers." 

He  also  says:  "As  long  as  this  error  (as  he  calls  it) 
•was  permitted  to  subsist  in  the  Church,  it  was  productive 

•Geisler's  Church  History.     Vol.  1,  p.  215. 
**Chillingworth's   Works,  Phila.  Edit.   1844,  p.  730. 
tDissertatlons  on  the  Prophecies,  p.  527. 
JDiscourse  on  the  Millennium,  p.  236. 


68  JESUS  IS  COMING. 

of  the  most  salutary  effects  on  the  faith  and  practice  of 
Christians."* 

Dr.  Daniel  Whitby,— the  father  of  the  modern  post-mil- 
lennial theory, — in  his  "Treatise  on  Traditions,"  candidly 
acknowledges  that,  "the  doctrine  of  the  Millennium  passed 
among  the  best  of  Christians,  for  two  hundred  and  fifty 
years,  for  a  tradition  apostolical,  and  as  such  is  delivered 
by  many  Fathers  of  the  second  and  third  centuries,  who 
speak  of  it  as  a  tradition  of  our  Lord  and  His  Apostles, 
and  of  all  the  ancients  who  lived  before  them,  who  tell  us 
the  very  words  in  which  it  was  delivered,  the  Scriptures 
which  were  so  interpreted,  and  say  that  it  was  held  by  all 
Christians  that  were  exactly  orthodox." 

Lest  anyone  should  lose  the  full  force  of  these  quota- 
tions, it  may  be -proper  to  state,  that  this  "ancient  and 
popular  doctrine  of  the  Millennium/'  as  Gibbon  styles  it, 
was  the  belief  in  the  pre-millennial  coming  of  Christ,  and 
His  reign  on  the  earth  for  a  thousand  years.  It  was  com- 
monly called  chiliasm,  which  see  in  Webster's  Dictionary. 

Such,  in  brief,  is  the  testimony  of  historians,  both  ecclesi- 
astical and  profane  upon  this  subject.  And  some  of  the 
early  Fathers,  of  whom  they  speak,  were  very  nearly,  if 
not  quite,  the  cotemporaries  with  the  Apostles. 

Papias,  Bishop  of  Hierapolis  in  Phrygia,  who  was  a 
disciple  of  St.  John,  or  who  at  least  received  his  doctrines 
from  the  immediate  followers  of  the  Apostle,  was  an  ex- 
treme Millennialist,  and  has  been  called  the  father  of 
Millenarianism.  (See  McClintock  and  Strong's  Enc.) 
Irenasus,  as  a  disciple  of  Polycarp,  Bishop  of  Smyrna,  was 
directly  connected  with  St.  John.  And  also  Justin  Martyr 
was  one  of  the  earliest  of  the  Fathers. 

Is  it  not  solemnly  incumbent  upon  us,  to  respect  and 
heed  this  doctrine,  which  these  eminent  Christian  Fathers 
so  undisputedly  taught,  as  being  the  "tradition  of  our  Lord 
and  His  Apostles"?  Why  is  it,  that,  fapon  every  other 
subject  connected  with  our  holy  religion,  such  as  Baptism, 
Church  government,  Forms  of  worship,  Articles  of  faith, 
etc.,  we  go  back  and  search  diligently  to  ascertain  the  doc- 

*Milman's  Gibbon's  Rome,  Vol.  1,  p.  262. 


THE  APOSTLES  NOT  MISTAKEN.  69 

trine  of  the  Fathers,  placing  so  much  stress  upon  what  we 
think  they  believed  and  taught,  and  yet  upon  this  most 
important  theme,  cast  aside  what  we  know  was  their  faith 
and  testimony?  Is  it  consistent?  Dear  reader,  do  let  us 
here  emphasize  Paul's  exhortation  to  the  Thessalonians : 
"Brethren,  stand  fast  and 

Hold  the  Traditions 

(teachings)  which  ye  have  been  taught  whether  by  word  or 
by  our  epistle."39  That  is,  whether  taught  in  writing,  or  or- 
ally, see  Verse  5.  Now,  what  were  these  traditions  (teach- 
ings) if  not  the  coming  of  Christ  and  the  Reign  of  the 
Saints,  of  which  Paul  and  the  other  Apostles  wrote  so 
freely?  Being  thus  exhorted,  it  is  reasonable  to  believe 
that  they  did  hold  them,  and  that  they  are  the  very  tradi- 
tions which  Whitby  and  the  other  'authorities  clearly  prove 
were  held  by  the  early  Church.  Then  let  us  also  hold,— not 
the  comparatively  modern  post-millennial  theory  of  Whitby, 
— but  the  aged  faith  of  the  Fathers. 

The  Apostles  Were  Not  Mistaken. 

We  cannot  believe  (as  some  assert)  that  the  Apostles 
were  mistaken,  and  consequently  not  inspired  upon  this 
theme,  nor  that  they  and  all  the  early  Christians  mocked 
themselves  with  false  hopes  in  regard  to  the  pre-millennial 
coming  of  Christ.  They  watched  and  waited  for  the  return 
of  our  Lord,  as  la  sure  event,  the  hour  of  which  none  but 
the  Father  knew,  but  which  had  been  enjoined  upon  them 
as  uncertain40  and  imminent.41  And  as  they  passed  away 

(39)  2  Tb.es.  2:5.  Remember  in    what   watch    the    thief   would 
ye    not,    that,    when  I    was    yet  come,    he    would    have    watched, 
with     you,     I     told  you     these  and  would  not  have  suffered  his 
things?  house  to  be  broken  up. 

15.  So  then,  brethren,  stand  44.  Therefore  be  ye  also 
fast  and  hold  the  traditions  ready :  for  in  such  an  hour  as  ye 
which  ye  were  taught  whether  think  not  the  Son  of  man  corn- 
by  word,  or  by  epistle  as  of  ours.  eth. 

(40)  Mat.       25:42.        Watch           (41)   Luke    12:35.      Let  your 
therefore ;   for  ye  know  not  what  loins  be  girded   about,   and  your 
hour  your  Lord  doth  come.  lights  burning ; 

43.  But  know  this,  that  if  the  36.  And  ye  yourselves  like  un- 

goodaian  of  the  house  had  known       to  men  that  wait  for  their  lord. 


TO  JESUS  IS  COMING. 

to  the  unseen  domain  of  Paradise,  they  have  left  us  the 
written  Word,  their  reiterated  traditions  (teachings  handed 
down),  and  their  great  hope.  So  we  take  up  their  vigil, 
hopefuity  watching,  not  daring  to  say  that  He  will  come  to- 
morrow, nor  a  thousand  years  hence,  but  only  this  are  we 
sure  oi7,  He  may  come  now. 

Expectancy. 

God  has  held  this  glorious  hope  constantly  before  the 
Church,  to  keep  her  in  her  proper  attitude  of  expectancy 
and  longing,  until  the  Bridegroom  comes.  Like  Israel  in 
the  wilderness,  we  should  realize  that  we  are  pilgrims  and 
strangers,  seeking  a  Land,  a  City,  and  a  King,  which  are 
beyond  our  Jordan  of  death  and  resurrection. 

Death  and  Resurrection  is  the  common  lot  of  the  great 
mass  of  the  Church.  But,  of  course,  there  will  be  some  liv- 
ing when  Christ  comes,42  who  will  not  die  but  be  changed 
in  a  moment,43  and  be  caught  up,  like  Elijah,  with  the 
raised  saints  to  meet  the  Lord  in  the  air.  1  Thes.  4:16-18. 

•when    he    will    return    from    the  (42)    1  Thes.   4:15.     For  this 

wedding ;   that,   when   he   cometh  we  say  unto  you  by  the  word  of 

and    knocketh,    they    may    open  the    Lord,    that    we    which    are 

unto  him  immediately.  alive  and  remain  unto  the  com- 

37.  Blessed  are  those  servants,  ing  of   the   Lord   shall   not   pre- 
•whom  the  lord  when  he  cometh  vent  them  which  are  asleep, 
shall  find  watching :  verily  I  say  16.  For  the  Lord  himself  shall 
unto  you,  that  he  shall  gird  him-  descend     from     heaven     with     a 
self,  and  make  them  to  sit  down  shout,  with  the  voice  of  the  arch- 
to  meat,  and  will  come  forth  and  angel,    and    with    the    trump    of 
serve  them.  God :    and    the    dead    in    Christ 

38.  And    if   he    shall    come   in  shall   rise   first: 

the  second  watch,  or  come  in  the  17.  Then   we   which   are   alive 

third    watch,    and    find   them   so,  and   remain   shall    be  caught   up 

blessed  are  those  servants.  together  with  them  in  the  clouds, 

39.  And  this  know,  that  If  the  to  meet  the  Lord  in  the  air :  and 
goodman  of  the  house  had  known  so    shall    we    ever    be    with    the 
what  hour  the  thief  would  come,  Lord. 

he  would  have  watched,  and  not  18.  Wherefore  comfort  one  an- 

have    suffered    his    house    to    be  other  with  these  words. 

broken  through.  (43)    1  Cor.  15:51.     Behold,  I 

40.  Be     ye     therefore      ready  shew  you    a   mystery ;   We   shall 
also :  for  the  Son  of  man  cometh  not   all   sleep,   but  we   shall    all 
at  an  hour  when  ye  think  not.  be    changed, 

Heb.   10  :37.     For  yet  a  little  52.  In  a  moment,  in  the  twink« 

while,  and  he  that  shall  come  ling  of  an  eye,  at  the  last  trump : 
will  come,  and  will  not  tarry.  for  the  trumpet  shall  sound,  ana 


EXPECTANCY. 


71 


It  may  be  at  morn,  when  the  day  is  awaking,  ^ 
When  sunlight  thro'  darkness  and  shadow  is  breaking, 
That  Jesus  will  come  in  the  fullness  of  glory. 
To  receive  from  the  world  "His  own." 

It  may  be  at  midday,  it  may  be  at  twilight, 
It  may  be  perchance,  that  the  blackness  of  midnight 
Will  burst  into  light  in  the  blaze  of  His  glory, 
When  Jesus  receives   "His  own." 

While  its  hosts  cry  Hosanna,  from  heaven  descending. 
With  glorified  saints  and  the  angels  attending, 
With  grace  on  His  brow,  like  a  halo  of  glory, 
Will  Jesus  receive  "His  own." 

Oh,  joy!  Oh,  delight!  should  we  go  without  dying; 
No  sickness,   no  sadness,   no  dread,  and  no  crying; 
Caught  up  thro'  the  clouds,  with  our  Lord,  into  glory. 
When   Jesus    receives    "His   own." 


the  dead  shall  be  raised  in- 
corruptible, and  we  shall  be 
changed. 

Mat.  23 :37.  O  Jerusalem, 
Jerusalem,  thou  that  killest  the 
prophets,  and  stonest  them  which 
are  sent  unto  thee,  how  often 
would  I  have  gathered  thy 
children  together,  even  as  a  hen 


gathereth  her  chickens  under  her 
wings,    and    ye    would    not ! 

38.  Behold,  your  house  Is  left 
unto  you  desolate. 

39.  For    I   say    unto   you,    Ye 
shall  not  see  me  henceforth,  till 
ye  shall   say.   Blessed  is  he  that 
cometh  in  the  name  of  the  Lord. 


CHAPTER  VHI. 
Diagram. 

We  here  present  the  following  diagram,  merely  as  an 
outline  of  the  order  of  events,  in  connection  with  our 
Lord's  return.  We  exhort  (1  Thes.  4:18,  margin)  a  faith- 
ful study  of  it,  together  with  the  references  and  explana- 
tions appended,  believing  that,  as  an  object  lesson,  it  will 
be  a  great  help  to  the  reader  to  understand  these  mighty 
questions. 


ISRAEL  * 


EXPLANATION. 

•—The  birth  of  Christ,  the  King  of  the  Jews, 
f— The  death  and  resurrection  of  Christ. 
A — Ascension  of  Christ.    Acts  1 :9. 
D— Descent  of  the  Holy  Ghost.    Acts  2. 

(72) 


Mat.  2:2. 


OUTLINE  OF  EVENTS.  73 

Church— Mystical  body  of  Christ.     Eph.  1:22-23;  3:3-6; 

Rom.  12:4-5;  Col.  1:24-27;  1  Cor.  12:12-27;  and  the 

Bride  of  Christ,  Eph.  5:21-23. 
De— Descent  of  the  Lord    (1  Thes.  4:16)   to  receive  His 

Bride.    John  14:3. 
R — Resurrection  of  the  just.     Lu.  14:14;  Acts  24:15;  1 

Thes.  4:15-16;  and  change  of  living  believers.    1  Cor. 

15 :23,  51,  52. 
Rapture — Translation  of  the  saints  who   (like  Enoch)  are 

caught  up  to  meet  Christ  in  the  air.    1  Thes.  4:17. 
M—  The  meeting  of  Christ  and  His  Bride.     1  Thes.  4:17j 

Eph.  5:21-32;  2  Cor.  11:2. 

This  is  our  gathering  together  unto  Him.     2  Thes.  2:1. 
And  the  marriage  of  the  Lamb.     Mat.  22:2-10;  25:10; 

Lu.  14:15-24;  Rev.  19:7-8. 
So  shall  we  ever  be  with  the  Lord.     John  12:26;  14:3; 

17:24;  1  Thes.  4:17. 
It  is  the  Hope  of  the  Church.    Phil.  3:20-21;  Tit.  2:13; 

1  John  3:2-3. 
And  the  redemption  mentioned  in  Lu.  21 :28 ;  Rom.  8 :23 ; 

Eph.  4:30. 
Wherefore,   comfort   one   another  with   these  words.     1 

Thes.  4 :18. 
Thus  the  Church  escapes  the  tribulation.     Lu.  21:36;  2 

Pet.  2 :9 ;  Rev.  3 :10. 
T.— Period  of  unequaled  tribulation  to  the  world    (Dan. 

12:1;  Mat.  24  ;21 ;  Lu.  21:25-26),  during  which— the 

Church  having  been  taken  out— God  begins  to  deal  with 

Israel   again    (Acts   15:13-17;   Psa.   51:18;    102:16), 

and  will  restore  them  to  their  own  land.  Isa.  11 :11 ; 

GO;  Jer.  30:3;  Jer.  31;  32:36-44;  Amos  9:15;*  Zech. 

8:10;  Rom.  11. 

Antichrist  will  be  revealed.    2  Thes.  2 :8. 
The  vials  of  God's  wrath  poured  out.    Psa.  2:1-5;  Rev. 

6:16-17;   Rev.  14:10;   16.     But  men  only  blaspheme 

God.     Rev.   16:11-21.     Israel   accepts    Christ    (Zech. 

12:10-14;   13:6),   and   are  brought  through   the  fire. 

Zech.  13:9.     They  pass  not  away.    Mat.  24:34;  Psa. 

22 :30. 


74  JESUS  IS  COMING. 

Rev.— The  revelation  of  Christ  and  His  saints  (Col.  3:4', 
1   Thes.  3:13),  in   flaming  fire    (2  Thes.  1:7-10)    to 
execute  judgment  on  the  earth.    Jude  14-15. 
This  is  Christ's  second  coming  to  the  earth.    Acts  1:11; 
Deut.  33:2;  Zech.  14:4-5;  Mat.  16:27;  24:29-30. 

J — Judgment  of  the  nations,  or  the  quick.     Mat.  25:31- 

46;  19:28;  Acts  10:42;  1  Pet.  4:5. 

Antichrist  is  destroyed.    2  Thes.  2 :8.    The  Beast  and  the 
False  Prophet  are  taken.     Rev.  19:20.     Gog  and  his 
allies  are  smitten.    Ezek.  chapters  38  and  39. 
Satan  is  bound. ,  Rev.  20:1-3;  Rom.  16:20. 

JJ.  T.— Resurrection  of  the  Tribulation  Saints,  which  com- 
pletes the  First  Resurrection.  Rev.  20 :4-6. 

Mill'm.— The  Millennium.  Christ's  glorious  reign  on  the 
earth  for  1,000  years  (Rev.  20:4)  with  His  Bride,  2 
Tim.  2:12;  Rev.  5:10;  Isa.  2:2-5;  4;  11:1-12;  25:6-9; 
Isa.  65:18-25;  Mic.  4:1-4;  Zeph.  3:14-20;  Zech.  8:3-8; 
Zech.  8:20-23;  14:16-21. 

S — Satan  loosed  for  a  little  season,  and  destroyed  with 
Gog  and  Magog.  Rev.  20 :7-10 ;  Heb.  2 :14. 

Res. — The  Resurrection  of  Judgment.  Rev.  20:12-15;  John 
5:29;  Dan.  12:2. 

J.  W.  T.— Judgment  at  the  Great  White  Throne  of  all  the 

remaining  dead.     Rev.  20:11-15. 
Death  and  Hell  destroyed.    Rev.  20:14;  1  Cor.  15:26. 

E.  E. — Eternity,  or  rather,  The  aions  to  come.    Eph.  2:7.* 

•These  events,  we  believe,  are  plainly  foretold  in  the 
Word,  though  we  would  not  be  dogmatic  as  to  the  precise 
order-  in  which  they  are  given  above  (see  preface).  But  we 
trust  it  will  enable  the  reader  to  apprehend,  in  some  de- 
gree, the  extent  to  which  the  future  has  been  revealed,  unto 
us,  by  the  Spirit  (2  Pet.  1:21;  John  16:13;  1  Cor.  2:10)  and 
to  realize  that  ETERNITY  ITSELF  will  not  be  a  blank,  or 
statue  like  condition,  but  a  continually  unfolding  mani- 
festation of  God  to  us  throughout  the  "ages  to  come"  (Eph. 
2:7)  even  the  "AGES  OF  AGES."  See  Greek  Gal.  1:5;  Eph, 
3:21;  Phil.  4:21;  1  Tim.  1:17;  2  Tim.  4:18;  Heb.  13:21;  1  Pet 
4:11;  Rev.  1:6,  18;  4:9,  10;  5:13;  7:12;  10:6;  11:15;  14:11;  15:7; 
19:3;  20:10;  22:5.  See  page  218. 


CHAPTER  IX. 


Rapture  and  Revelation. 

Two  things  are  of  vital  importance,  in  order  to  the  right 
understanding  of  this  subject,  and  these  are: 

First.  The  distinction  between  the  Rapture  and  the 
Revelation. 

Rapture  means  to  be  caught  up,  or  away. 

Revelation  ( aTro/coAri/'is — apokalupsis)  means  Appearing 
or  shining  forth  or  manifestation.1 

The  Rapture  occurs  when  the  Church  is  caught  up  to 
meet  Christ  in  the  air,2  before  the  tribulation ;  and 

The  Revelation  occurs  when  Christ  comes,  with  His 
saints,  to  end  the  Tribulation,  by  the  execution  of  right- 
eous judgment  upon  the  earth.3 

At  the  Rapture,  Christ  comes  into  the  air  for  His 
saints.4 

At  the  Revelation,  He  comes  to  the  earth  with  them.5  He 


(1)  Rom.      8:19.        For      the 
earnest  expectation  of  the   crea- 
ture  waiteth   for    the  manifesta- 
tion of  the  sons  of  God. 

(2)  1   Thes.  4:14.     For  if  we 
believe  that  Jesus  died  and  rose 
again,   even  so  them  also  which 
sleep    in    Jesus    will    God    bring 
with   him. 

17.  Then  we  which  are  alive 
and  remain  shall  be  caught  up 
together  with  them  in  the  clouds, 
to  meet  the  Lord  in  the  air,  so 
shall  we  ever  be  with  the  Lord. 

(3)  2  Thes.  1:7.     And  to  you 
who    are   troubled    rest   with    us, 
when    the    Lord    Jesus    shall    be 
revealed    from    heaven    with    his 
mighty    angels. 

8.  In      flaming      fire      taking 
vengeance    on    them    that    know 
not  God,   and  that  obey   not  the 
gospel  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ : 

9.  Who  shall  be  punished  with 
everlasting  destruction   from   the 
presence  of  the   Lord,   and   from 
the  glory  of  his  power; 


10.  When  he  shall  come  to  be 
glorified  in  his  saints,  and  to  be 
admired  in  all  them  that  believe. 

Jude  14.  And  Enoch  also,  the 
seventh  from  Adam,  prophesied 
of  these,  saying,  Behold,  the 
Lord  corneth  with  ten  thousand 
of  his  saints. 

,  15.  To  execute  judgment  upon 
all,  and  to  convince  all  that  are 
ungodly  among  them  of  all  their 
ungodly  deeds  which  they  have 
ungodly  committed,  and  of  all 
their  hard  speeches  which  un- 
godly sinners'  have  spoken 
against  him. 

(4)  John   14:3.     And   if  I   go 
and   prepare   a  place   for   you,    I 
will  come  again,  .and  receive  you 
unto   myself ;    that   where    I    am, 
there   ye   may    be    also. 

(5)  1  Thes.  3:13.     To  the  end 
he  may  stablish  your  hearts  un- 
blamable     in      holiness      before 
God,    even    our    Father,    at    the 
coming  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ 
with  all  his  saints. 


(75) 


76 


JESUS  IS  COMING. 


certainly  must  come  for  them  before  He  can  come  with 
them.  The  assurance  that  God  will  bring  them  (Greek — 
lead  them  forth)  with  Jesus  (1  Thes.  4:14)  is  evidence 
that  He  will  first  come  for  them,  they  being  caught  up  to 
meet  him  in  the  air.  Verse  17.  The  Greek  word  here  ren- 
dered "to  meet"  signifies  a  going  forth,  in  order  to  return 
with.  The  same  word  is  used  in  Acts  28 :15,6  where  the 
brethren  came  out  to  meet  Paul  and  had  a  season  of  thanks- 
giving with  him  at  Appii  Forum  and  the  Three  Taverns, 
when  he  was  on  his  way  to  Rome.  This  exactly  accords 
with  our  being  caught  up  to  meet  Christ  and  afterward 
returning  to  the  earth  with  Him. 

Again,  at  the  Rapture  Christ  comes  as  the  Bridegroom7 
to  take  unto  Himself  His  bride,  the  Church.8 

At  the  Revelation,  He  comes,  with  His  bride,  to  rule  the 
nations.9 


Zech.  14  :5.  And  ye  shall  flee 
to  the  valley  of  the  mountains ; 
for  the  valley  of  the  mountains' 
shall  reach  unto  Azal :  yea,  ye 
shall  flee,  like  as  ye  fled  from 
before  the  earthquake  In  the  days 
of  Uzziah  king  of  Judah :  and  the 
Lord  my  God  shall  come,  and 
all  the  saints  with  thee. 

(6)  Acts    28:15.       And     from 
thence,  when  the  brethren  heard 
of    us,    they    came    to    meet    us 
as  far  as  Appii  Forum,  and  the 
Three      Taverns ;      whom      when 
Paul   saw,  he  thanked  God,  and 
took  courage. 

(7)  Mat.    25:10.      And    while 
they  went  to  buy,  the  bridegroom 
came ;   and  they  that  were  ready 
went    in   with   him   to   the   mar- 
riage :    and    the    door   was    shut. 

(8)  Eph.      5 :25.        Husbands, 
love  your  wives,  even   as  Christ 
also  loved  the  cliurch,   and  gave 
himself  for  it ; 

26.  That     he     might     sanctify 
and  cleanse  it  with  the  washing 
of  water  by  the  word. 

27.  That  he   might,   present   it 
to    himself    a    glorious     church, 
not  having   spot,   or  wrinkle,   or 
any    such    thing :     but    that    it 


should     be     holy     and     without 
blemish. 

28.  So     ought     men     to     love 
their/wives  as  their  own  bodies. 
He    that    loveth   his'   wife    lovetb, 
himself. 

29.  For     no     man     ever     yet 
hated  his  own  flesh  ;  but  nourish- 
eth    and    cherisheth    it,    even    as 
the  Lord   the  church : 

30.  For    we    are    members    of 
his  body. 

31.  For  this  cause  shall  a  man 
leave  his  father  and  mother,  and 
shall    be    joined    unto    his    wife, 
and  they  two  shall  be  one  flesh. 

32.  This   is   a    great  mystery : 
but    I    speak    concerning    Christ 
and  the  church. 

(9)  Rev.  2 :26.  And  he  that 
overcometh,  and  keepeth  my 
works  unto  the  end,  to  him  will 
I  give  power  over  the  nations : 

27.  And  he  shall  rule  them 
with  a  rod  of  iron ;  as  the  ves- 
sels of  a  potter  shall  they  be 
broken  to  shivers :  even  as  I  re- 
ceived of  my  Father. 

Rev.  5  :10.  And  madest  them 
to  be  unto  our  God  a  kingdom 
and  priests1;  and  they  reign  upon 
the  earth. 


RAPTURE   AND   REVELATION. 


77 


At  the  Rapture  He  comes  only  to  meet  the  saints  in 
the  air,  1  Thes.  4:17. 

At  the  Revelation,  He  comes  to  the  earth,10  and  His 
feet  stand  upon  the  same  Mount  Olivet  from  which  He 
ascended.11 

At  the  Rapture  the  Church,  like  Enoch,  is  taken  out  of 
the  world.12 

At  the  Revelation,  the  Millennial  Kingdom  is  begun.12 

In  Luke  21:28,  the  Rapture  is  referred  to  at  the  begin- 
ning of  the  Tribulation.  "When  these  things  begin  to  come 
to  pass,  then  look  up,  and  lift  up  your  heads;  for  your 
redemption  draweth  nigh."  (Redemption  here  meaning  the 
first  resurrection,  same  as  in  Rom.  8:23.)13 

In  Luke  21:31,  the  Revelation  is  referred  to,  when 
"these  things"  (the  Tribulation)  have  come  to  pass,  and  the 
kingdom  of  God  draweth  nigh. 


Rev.  19 :15.  And  out  of  his 
mouth  goeth  a  sharp  sword,  that 
with  it  he  should  smite  the 
nations ;  and  he  shall  rule  them 
with  a  rod  of  iron :  and  he 
treadeth  the  winepress  of  the 
fierceness  and  wrath  of  Almighty 
God. 

See  also  Rev.  12  :5. 

(10)  Acts   1:11.     Which  also 
said,    Ye    men    of    Galilee,    why 
stand  ye  gazing  up  into  heaven? 
this  s'ame  Jesus,  which  is  taken 
up   from  you   into   heaven,   shall 
so   come    in    like   manner   as    ye 
have  seen  him  go  into  heaven. 

(11)  Zech.    14:4.       And     his 
feet  shall  stand  in  that  day  upon 
the    mount    of    Olives,    which    is 
before    Jerusalem    on    the    east ; 
and    the   mount    of    Olives    shall 
cleave   in   the   midst   thereof   to- 
ward  the    east    and    toward    the 
west,  and  there  shall  be  a  very 
great    valley;    and    half    of    the 
mountain    shall    remove    toward 
the  north,  and  half  of  it  toward 
the  south. 

5 4.nd  the  Lord  ray 

God    shaW    come    and    all    the 
saints   with  thee. 


(12)  Acts    15:13.      And    after 
they  had  held  their  peace,  James 
answered,       saying,      Men      and 
brethren,  hearken  unto  me : 

14.  Simeon  hath  declared  how 
God    at    the    first    did    visit    the 
Gentiles,    to    take    out    of    them 
a  people  for  his  name. 

15.  And     to     this     agree    the 
words  of  the  prophets ;  as  it  is 
written, 

16.  After   this    I    will    return, 
and  will  build  again  the  taber- 
nacle  of   David,  which   is1  fallen 
down ;    and    I    will    build    again 
the  ruins  thereof,  and  I  will  set 
it   up : 

17.  That   the   residue   of   men 
might   seek   after  the   Lord,   and 
all     the     Gentiles,     upon     whom 
my    name    is    called,    saith    the 
Lord,  who  doeth  all  these  things. 

(13)  Rom.     8 :23.       And    not 
only    they,    but    ourselves    also, 
which  have  the  first-fruits  of  tha 
Spirit,    even  we  ourselves   groaa 
within     ourselves,     waiting     for 
the  adoption,  to  wit,  the  redemp- 
tion of  our  body. 


78  JESUS  IS  COMING. 

The  Rapture  may  occur  any  moment.14 

The  Revelation  can  not  occur,  until  Antichrist  be  re- 
vealed, and  all  the  times  and  seasons  (which  point  to  the 
day  of  the  Lord)  in  Lev.  26,  Daniel  and  Revelation  be 
fulfilled. 

The  Revelation  ushers  in  the  day,  the  Day  of  the  Lord.15 

The  failure  to  make  this  distinction  has  led  to  great  con- 
fusion among  commentators  upon  this  subject. 

For  instance :  In  2  Thes.  chapter  2,  the  apostle,  in 
the  first  verse,  speaks  of  the  Rapture,  to- wit:  the  coming 
of  the  Lord  and  our  gathering  together  unto  Him,  o2  which 
He  had  written  so  fully  in  the  previous  epistle,  especially 
in  the  4th  chapter. 

In  the  second  verse  he  speaks  of  the  Revelation,  or  Day 
of  the  Lord,*  which  could  not  come,  except  there  be  a  fall- 
ing away  first,  and  the  "man  of  sin"  and  "that  wicked,"  or 
the  Antichrist,  be  revealed. 

And  yet,  most  commentators  have  argued  that  the 
apostle,  in  both  of  these  verses,  referred  to  one  and  the 
same  event,  and  thus  they  have  made  Scripture  contradict 
itself. 

But  we  see  plainly,  that  Paul  had  no  intention  of  contra- 
dicting Christ's  admonitions,  unto  all,  to  watch  for  His 
coming,  as  being  imminent.  Mark  13:35-37;  Luke  12:35- 
40.  He  only  made  the  distinction,  as  above  stated,  between 
the  Rapture  and  the  Revelation.  The  persecuted  Thessalo- 
nians  thought  that  they  were  in  the  Tribulation,  and  that 
the  Day  of  the  Lord  had  set  in.f  But  Paul  corrects  them, 
first  by  reminding  them  that  the  Lord  had  not  come  for 

*Greek,  the  oldest  MSS.  read  Kvplov  =  Lord,  not  xp"™"0"  = 
Christ.  See  Bengels'  Gnomon  and  others. 

f  evitm)Ktv  (enesteeken)  which  authorized  version  renders 
"at  hand,"  means  to  be  present,  or  to  have  set  in.  See  same 
word  in  Rom.  8:38;  1  Cor.  3:22;  7:26;  Gal.  1:4;  Heb.  9:9,  in 
each  place  rendered  "present." 

(14)  Mat.       24 :42.       Watch      a  thief  in  the  night, 
therefore  ;  for  ye  know  not  what  Luke  17  :30.     Even  thus  shall 
hour  your  Lord  doth  come.                  it  bs   in  the   day  when   the  Son 

(15)  1  Thes.  5  :2.     For  your-       of  r.:an  is  revealed. 

selves    know    perfectly    that    the  Also    2   Thes.    1 :7-10 :    2    Pet 

day   of  the   Lord  so   cometh   as       3 : 10-12,  etc. 


RAPTURE   AND   REVELATION.  79 

them  yet,  as  He  had  said  that  He  would  (1  Thes.  4:15-17), 
and  then  by  adding  certain  other  things  which  must  occur 
before  the  Day  of  the  Lord  should  come.  He  had  told  them 
that  the  Day  of  the  Lord  should  come  as  a  thief  in  the 
night  (1  Thes.  5:2),  but  that  they  were  not  of  the  night, 
and  therefore  He  exhorts  them  to  watch  and  be  sober.  (See 
alsoLu.  21:36.16) 

Another  evidence  of  the  difference  between  the  Rapture 
and  Revelation  consists  in  the  fact  that  the  Church  is  to 
escape  the  Tribulation,  which  precedes  the  Revelation. 
(Mat.  24:29-30.) 

Enoch,  a  type  of  the  Church,  by  his  rapture,— that  is  by 
being  caught  away  or  translated  (Heb.  11:5)— escaped  the 
flood. 

Christ  says,  in  Luke  21:36,  "Watch  ye  therefore,  and 
pray  always,  that  ye  may  be  accounted  worthy  to  escape 
all  these  things  that  shall  come  to  pass,  and  to  stand  be- 
fore the  Son  of  man." 

And  in  keeping  with  this  injunction  He  gave  a  blessed 
promise  to  the  Church,  in  Rev.  3:10,  viz.:  "Because  thou 
hast  kept  the  word  of  my  patience,  I  also  will  keep  thee 
from  the  hour  of  temptation,  which  shall  come  upon  all 
the  world,  to  try  tnem  that  dwell  upon  the  earth.  Behold 
I  come  quickly,"  etc.  A  special  hour,  or  time,  of  tempta- 
tion— i.  e.,  trial — is  here  mentioned,  which  shall  come  upon 
all  the  world  (  oiKov/xen;-oikoumenee  —  the  whole  habitable 
—same  word  in  Mat.  24:14— all  the  world). 

It  is  a  time  of  trouble  not  limited  to  Judea,  but  as  ex  • 
tensive  as  the  inhabited  earth.  This  accords  with  the  great 
tribulation  described  in  Mat.  24:21,  a  "tribulation,  such  as 
was  not  since  the  beginning  of  the  world  .  .  .  nor 
ever  shall  be." 

Jesus  promises  to  keep  the  Church  from,  or  («)  out 
of  this  tribulation,  or  hour  of  temptation,  that  is,  the 
watchful  and  prayerful  believers  will  escape  it.  Luke 
21:36.  Now,  as  it  covers  the  whole  earth,  there  is  no  way 

(16)  Luke  21:36.  Watch  ye  escape  all  these  things  that  shall 
therefore,  and  pray  always,  that  come  to  pass,  and  to  stand  be» 
ye  may  be  accounted  worthy  to  fore  the  Son  of  man. 


80 


JESUS  18  COMING. 


of  escape  from  it,  but  to  be  taken  out  of  the  world,  and 
this  is  accomplished  by  the  Rapture.  Acts  15 :14,  and  1 
Thes.  4:17,  which  thus  presents  a  glorious  deliverance  for 
the  Church. 

The  elect,17  'a  portion  of  Israel,18  will  be  gathered  back 
to  Jerusalem,19  and  pass  through  the  fire,  or  great  trial.20 

Like  Enoch,  the  Church  escapes  from  it. 


(17)  Mat.  24:22.     And  except 
those  days   should  be   shortened, 
there   should  no  flesh  be   saved : 
but    for    the    elect's    sake    those 
days'   shall   be   shortened. 

(18)  Isa.    65:9.      And    I    will 
bring  forth  a  seed  out  of  Jacob, 
and  out  of  Judah  an  inheritor  of 
my    mountains :    and   mine    elect 
shall  inherit  it,  and  my  servants 
shall  dwell  there. 

See  also  verses  15  and  22,  and 
Rom.  11:5-7. 

(19)  Isa.    1:26.      And    I    will 
restore  thy  judges  as  at  the  first, 
and    thy    counsellors    as    at    the 
beginning :   afterward  thou   shalt 
be  called,  The  city  of  righteous- 
ness, The  faithful  city. 

27.  Zion  shall  be  redeemed 
with  judgment,  and  her  converts 
with  righteousness. 

Zech.  10:6.  And  I  will 
strengthen  the  house  of  Judah, 
and  I  will  save  the  house  of 
Joseph,  and  I  will  bring  them 
again  to  place  them :  for  I  have 
mercy  upon  them :  and  they  shall 
be  as  though  I  had  not  cast 
them  off :  for  I  am  the  Lord 
their  God,  and  will  hear  them. 

7.  And  they  of  Ephraim  shall 
be  like  a  mighty  man,  and  their 
heart    shall    rejoice    as'    through 
wine :    yea,    their    children    shall 
see  it,  and  be  glad  ;   their  heart 
shall  rejoice  in   the  Lord. 

8.  I    will    hiss    for    them,    and 
gather    them ;    for    I    have    re- 
deemed   them :     and    they    shall 
Increase  as  they  have  increased. 

9.  And  I  will  sow  them  among 
the    people :    and    they    shall    re- 
member   me    in     far    countries ; 


and  they  shall  live  with  their 
children,  and  turn  again. 

10.  I  will  bring  them  again 
also  out  of  the  land  of  Egypt, 
and  gather  them  out  of  Assyria ; 
and  I  will  bring  them  Into  the 
land  of  Gilead  and  Lebanon  ;  and 
place  shall  not  be  found  for 
them. 

(20)  Zech.  13:8.  And  it  shall 
come  to  pass,  that  in  all  the 
land,  saith  the  Lord,  two  parts 
therein  shall  be  cut  off  and  die ; 
but  the  third  shall  be  left  there- 
in. 

9.  And  I  will  bring  the  third 
part  through  the  fire,  and  will 
refine  them  as  silver  is  refined, 
and  will  try  them  as  gold  is 
tried :  they  shall  call  on  my 
name,  and  I  will  hear  them :  I 
will  say,  It  is  my  people ;  and 
they  shall  say.  The  Lord  is  my 
God. 

Psa.  57 :1.  Be  merciful  unto 
me,  O  God,  be  merciful  unto 
me ;  for  my  soul  trusteth  in 
thee :  yea,  in  the  shadow  of  thy 
wings  will  I  make  my  refuge, 
until  these  calamities  be  over- 
past. 

Isa.  26  :20.  Come,  my  people, 
enter  thou  into  thy  chambers, 
and  shut  thy  doors  about  thee : 
hide  thyself  as  it  were  for  a 
little  moment,  until  the  indigna- 
tion be  overpast. 

21.  For,  behold,  the  Lord 
cometh  out  of  his  place  to  punish 
the  inhabitants  of  the  earth  for 
their  iniquity :  the  earth  also 
shall  disclose  her  blood,  and 
shall  no  more  cover  her  slain. 

Also  Psa-   27:5;   31:20 


RAPTURE    AND   REVELATION. 


81 


Like  Noah,  Israel  passes  through  it. 

So  the  Church  should  humble  herself  to  walk  with  God 
(Micah  6:8),  as  Enoch  did  (Gen.  5:24),  having  the  tes- 
timony that  she  pleases  God,21  and  watch  for  the  Rapture 
at  any  moment. 

The  Jews,  through  their  dates  and  seasons,  may  look 
for  the  Revelation,  or  day  of  the  Lord,  a  day  of  thick 
darkness  to  them,  in  which  there  is  no  light  at  all.22  Yet, 
in  it  they  will  accept  Christ23  and  "at  evening  time  it 
shall  be  light,"  land  "living  waters  shall  go  out  from  Je- 
rusalem." Zech.  14:6-8. 

The  Rapture,  or  being  caught  away,  at  the  coming  of 
the  Bridegroom,  is  full  of  the  sweetest  comfort  for  the  be- 
liever, and  therefore  Paul  says,  "Comfort  one  another 
with  these  words."  1  Thes.  4:18. 

But  the  Revelation  of  Christ  with  His  Saints,  to  take 
vengeance  on  the  ungodly,  is  full  of  solemnity  and  terror 
to  them  who  obey  not  the  gospel  of  our  Lord  Jesus 
Christ.24 


(21)  Heb.     11:5.       By     faith 
Enoch    was    translated    that    he 
should   not  see   death ;    and   was 
not     found,     because     God     had 
translated    him :    for    before    his 
translation    he    had    this    testi- 
mony, that  he  pleased  God. 

(22)  Amos    B:18.      Woe    unto 
you   that   desire   the   day   of   the 
Lord  !  to  what  end  is  it  for  you? 
the  day  of  the  Lord  is  darkness, 
and  not  light. 

19.  As  if  a  man  did  flee  from 
a  lion,  and  a  bear  met  him  ;  or 
went  into  the  house,  and  leaned 
his    hand    on    the    wall,    and    a 
serpent  bit  him. 

20.  Shall   not   the   day   of   the 
Lord  be  darkness,  and  not  light? 
even   very   dark,   and  no  bright- 
ness in  it? 

(23)  Zech.  12  :9.     And  it  shall 
come  to   pass   in   that   day,    that 
I    will    seek    to    destroy    all    the 
nations  that  come  against  Jeru- 
salem. 

10.  And  I  will  pour  upon  the 


house  of  David,  and  upon  the 
inhabitants  of  Jerusalem,  the 
spirit  of  grace  and  of  supplica- 
tions ;  and  they  shall  look  upon 
me  whom  they  have  pierced,  and 
they  shall  mourn  for  him,  as 
one  mourneth  for  Tiis  only  son, 
and  shall  be  in  bitterness  for 
him,  as  one  that  is  In  bitter- 
ness1 for  Tiis  first-born. 

(24)  Rev.  6  :12.  And  I  beheld 
when  he  had  opened  the  sixth 
seal,  and,  lo,  there  was  a  great 
earthquake ;  and  the  sun  became 
black  as  sackcloth  of  hair,  and 
the  moon  became  as  blood  ; 

13.  And    the    stars    of    heaven 
fell    unto    the    earth,    even    as    a 
fig  tree  casteth  her  untimely  figs, 
when  she  is  shaken  of  a  mighty 
wind. 

14.  And    the    heaven    departed 
as  a  scroll  when  it  is1  rolled  to- 
gether ;  and  every  mountain  and 
island  were  moved   out   of  their 
places. 

15.  And     the     kings     of    the 


82 


JESUS  18  COMING. 


earth,  and  the  great  men,  and 
the  rich  men,  and  the  chief  cap- 
tains, and  the  mighty  men,  and 
every  bond  man,  and  every  free 
man,  hid  themselves  in  the  dens 
and  in  the  rocks  of  the  moun- 
tains ; 

16.  And  said  to  the  mountains 


and  rocks,  Fall  on  us,  and  hide 
us  from  the  face  of  him  that 
sitteth  on  the  throne,  and  from 
the  wrath  of  the  Lamb : 

17.  For  the  great  day  of  his 
wrath  is  come ;  and  who  shall 
be  able  to  stand? 

Also  2  Thes.  1:7-10. 


CHAPTER  X. 
The  Church  and  the  Millennial  Kingdom. 

The  second  point  is :  The  distinction  between  the  Church 
and  the  Millennial  Kingdom. 

The  Christian  Church  ( cKJcX^crta— ekkleesia),  meaning 
assembly  or  congregation,  is  distinct  from  the  congrega- 
tion of  the  Mosaic  dispensation,  or  Church  in  the  wilder- 
ness.1 For,  until  after  Christ  came,  it  was  a  thing  of  the 
future.  This  is  proved  by  His  assertion  in  Mat.  16:18, 
"On  this  rock  will  I  build  my  Church,"  showing  that  it 
had  not  yet  been  built. 

And,  it  is  likewise  distinct  from  the  Millennial  King- 
dom, which  is  to  follow  it. 

The  Church  is  a  companion  of  Christ  in  His  humilia- 
tion, manifesting  His  sufferings  and  filling  up  the  afflic- 
tions which  are  behind.2 

The  Kingdom  is  the  manifestation  of  the  glory  of  Christ 
which  shall  follow,3  when  He  "shall  sit  in  the  throne  of 
His  glory,"  and  when  they  who  have  suffered  with  Him 
during  this  time  of  the  trial  shall  also  be  exalted  to  regal 
power  and  authority.4  This  Kingdom  was  at  hand,5  that 

(1)  Acts    7 :38.      This    is    he,  In    them    did    signify,    when    it 
that  was  in  the  church   (ecclesia  testified    beforehand    the    suffer- 
— congregation)     in    the    wilder-  ings    of    Christ,    and    the    glory 
ness  with  the  angel  which  spake  that  should  follow. 

to  him  in  the  mount  Sinai,   and  /•,,•>    ,,   .     -n  00 

with   our   fathers:   who  received  ,(,4)    "at-    19 :28'      And    Jesua 

the   lively   oracles  to   give   unto       S*    unto    **em'    Ven*    Ifcsay 
us.  unto    you,    That   ye    which    have 

(2)  Col.  1:24.     Who  now  te-  to"°^ I  me,  In  the  regeneration 
joice   in    my   sufferings   for   you,  7he°   th*   Son   of.  man    s,ha11   slt 
and  fill  up  that  which  is  behind  !°    the    *h™n*   °f   his    Slorv-    ?e 
of  the  afflictions  of  Christ  in  my  also      sha11      slt      uP°n      twelve 
flesh   for  his   body's  sake,   which  thrones,  judging  the  twelve  tribes 
is  the  church.  of  IsraeL 

Also   2    Cor.    1:5-6;    Phil.    3:  Also   Luke   22:28-30. 

10;   2   Tim.   1:8.  (5)    Mat.     3:2.     And    saying, 

(3)  1  Pet.   1:11.       Searching  Repent  ye:    for  the  kingdom  of 
what,   or   what   manner  of  time  heaven  is  at  hand. 

the   Spirit  of  Christ  which  was  Also  Ch.  4:17  and  10:7. 

<83> 


64  JESV8  18  COMING. 

is,  it  came  nigh6  (or  approached,  same  Greek  word),1 
when  Jesus,  the  King,  came.  So  much  so,  that  the  three 
favored  disciples  witnessed  a  foretaste  of  its  glory  and 
power  on  the  Mount  of  Transfiguration.8 

But  the  Jews  rejected  it  and  slew  their  King.  They 
were  not  willing  to  have  this  man  reign  over  them,  and 
therefore  the  Kingdom  did  not  "immediately  appear."  It 
became  like  a  nobleman  which  "went  into  a  far  country,  to 
receive  for  himself  a  kingdom  and  to  return."  See  Luke 
19:11-27.  By  this  parable  Jesus  distinctly  taught  that 
the  Kingdom  was  in  the  future. 

The  Kingdom  Still  Future. 

It  was  in  the  future  when  Christ  said:  "I  say  unto 
you,  I  will  not  any  more  eat  thereof  (the  passover)  until 
it  be  fulfilled  in  the  Kingdom  of  God,"  and  again,  "For  I 
say  unto  you,  I  will  not  drink  of  the  fruit  of  the  vine 
until  the  Kingdom  of  God  shall  come."  Luke  22:16-18; 
also  Mat.  26:29;  Mark  14:25. 

(6)  Luke  10:9.     And  heal  the       as  the  sun,  and  his  raiment  was 
sick    that   are    therein,    and    say       white    as    the    light. 

unto  them,  The  kingdom  of  God  3.  And,  behold,  there  appeared 

is   come  nigh   unto   you.  unto  them  Moses  and  Elias  talk- 

10.  But    into    whatsoever   city       ing  with  him. 

ye   enter,    and   they    receive   you  4.  Then    answered    Peter,    and 

not,   go  your  ways   out   into   the  said  unto  Jesus,  Lord,  it  is  good 

streets   of  the   same,   and   say,  for  us  to  be  here :   if  thou  wilt, 

11.  Even     the    very    dust    of  let    us    make    here    thr.-o    taber- 
your  city,  which  cleaveth  on  us,  nacles ;    one    for    thee,    and    one 
we    do    wipe    off    against    you :  for  Moses,   and  one  for   Elias. 
notwithstanding,    be    ye    sure   of  5.  While  he  yet  spake,  behold, 
this,    that    the    kingdom    of    God  a     bright     cloud     overshadowed 
is  come  nigh  unto  you.  them :    and    behold    a    voice    out 

(7)  Heb.   10 :25.     Not  forsak-  of    the    cloud,    which    said,    This 
Ing   the   assembling  of  ourselves  is   my    beloved    Son,    in   whom    I 
together,  as  the  manner  of  some  am  well   pleased ;   hear  ye   Him. 
is;   but    exhorting   one   another:  6.  And      when     the     disciples 
and    so    much    the    more,    as    ye  heard  it,  they  fell  on  their  face, 
see  the  day  approaching.  and  were  sore  afraid. 

Also  Luke  12  :33.  7.  And  Jesus  came  and  touch- 

(8)  Mat.    17 :1.       And    after      ed  them,  and  said,  Arise,  and  be 
six     days     Jesus     taketh    Peter,       not  afraid. 

James,    and    John    his    brother,  8.  And    when   they   had    lifted 

and    bringeth    them    up    into    a  up  their  eyes,  they  saw  no  man, 

high  mountain  apart,  save   Jesus   only. 

2.  And    was    transfigured    be-  9.  And    as    they    came    down 

fore  them  :  and  his  face  did  shine  from       the       mountain,       Jesus 


THE  CHURCH  AND  THE  KINGDOM.  85 

It  was  in  the  future  when  the  thief  cried,  "Lord  re- 
member me  when  Thou  comest  into  Thy  Kingdom."  Luke 
23:42.  Joseph  of  Arimathea,  who  laid  Jesus'  body  in  the 
sepulchre,  "waited  for  the  Kingdom  of  God,"  which  also 
indicates  that  it  was  still  in  the  future.  Mark  15:43. 

S       ! 

It  was  still  future  when  Paul  exhorted  the  disciples  to 
continue  in  the  faith,  and  said  "that  we  must  through 
much  tribulation  enter  into  the  Kingdom  of  God,"  Acts 
14:22.  It  was  in  the  future  while  the  persecuted  Thessa- 
lonians  suffered,  that  they  might  "be  counted  worthy  of  the 
Kingdom  of  God."  2  Thes.  1:4-5. 

It  Was  most  assuredly  future  when,  years  afterward, 
Peter,  gave  his  exhortations  as  follows  :  "Wherefore  the 
rather,  brethren,  give  diligence  to  make  your  calling  and 
election  sure;  for  if  ye  do  these  things  ye  shall  never  fall. 
For  so  an  entrance  shall  be  ministered  unto  you  abun- 
dantly into  the  everlasting  Kingdom  of  our  Lord  and  Sav- 
ior, Jesus  Christ."  2  Pet.  1:10-11.  And  it  has  been  fu- 
ture during  all  the  long,  sad  history  of  the  faithful  and 
godly  Church,  while  she  has  suffered  the  terrible  persecu- 
tions of  fagot,  inquisition,  banishment,  ridicule  and  false 
accusation.9 

And  it  will  be  future  until  Jesus,  "having  received  the 
Kingdom,"10  shall  return  to  recompense  tribulation  to 

-  — 

charged    them,    saying,    Tell    the  This  is  my  beloved  Son,  in  whom 

vision  to  no  man,   until  the  Son  I  am  well  pleased. 

of  man  be  risen  again  from  the  18.  And  this  voice  which  came 

dead.  from  heaven  we  heard,  when  we 

Also   Mark   9:1-10;    Luke   9:       were    witn    Him     In    tne    holy 


27 


mount. 


(9)    2   Tim.    3:12.     Yea,   and 

2    Pet.    1  :16.      For   we    have  all  that  wlll  live  godiy  ln  Christ 

not    followed    cunningly    devised  Jesus   shall   suffer  persecution. 

fables,    when    we    made    known  (10)    Luke     19  :i5.       And     it 

unto  you  the  power  and  coming  came  to  pasS)  tnat  ^hen  he  was 

of    our    Lord    Jesus    Christ,    but  returned,     having     received     the 

were    eyewitnesses    of    his    maj-  kingdom,     then     he     commanded 

esty.  these  servants  to  be  called  unto 

17.  For  he  received  from  God  him,  to  whom  he  had  given  the 

the    Father    honour    and    glory,  money,  that  he  might  know  how 

when   there   came   such    a   voice  much  every  man  had  gained  by 

to  him  from  the  excellent  glory,  trading. 


86 


JESUS  18  COMING. 


those  who  have  troubled  the  Church11  and  "sit  in  the 
throne  of  His  glory."12 

Then  the  Kingdom,  which,  for  these  centuries,  has  been 
"hid  in  mystery,13  shall  be  manifested  in  power  and  glory.14 

Then  shall  "the  kingdom  of  the  world  become  our  Lord's 
and  His  Christ's,"15  and  then  shall  the  Kingdom  be  given 


(11)  2   Thes.  1:6-10.     Seeing 
it  is  a  righteous  thing  with  God 
to     recompense     tribulation     to 
them  that  trouble  you. 

7.  And    to     you    who    are 
troubled  rest  with  us,  when  the 
Lord    Jesus    shall    be    revealed 
from    heaven    with    his    mighty 
angels. 

8.  In     flaming     fire     taking 
vengeance    on    them    that    know 
not  God,  and  that  obey  not  the 
gospel  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ: 

9.  Who  shall  be  punished  with 
everlasting  destruction  from  the 
presence  of  the  Lord,   and  from 
the  glory  of  his  power ; 

10.  When  he  shall  come  to  be 
glorified  in  his  saints,  and  to  be 
admired    in    all   them   that   be- 
lieve. 

Also  Luke  19  :27. 

(12)  Mat.  19:28.     And  Jeeus 
•aid    unto    them.    Verily    I    say 
unto   you,    That  ye  which   have 
followed  me,  in  the  regeneration 
•when   the   Son   of  man   shall   sit 
in   the   throne  of  his   glory,    ye 
also     shall      sit      upon     twelve 
thrones,      judging      the     twelve 
tribes  of  Israel. 

(13)  Mat    13:11.       He    an- 
swered and  said  unto  them,  Be- 
cause  it   is    given   unto   you   to 
know  the  mysteries  of  the  king- 
dom of  heaven,   but  to  them  it 
is  not  given. 

Also  Mark  4:11;  Luke  8:10. 

(14)  Mat.  13  :43.     Then  shall 
the  righteous  shine  forth  as  the 
sun    in    the    kingdom    of    their 
Father.     Who  hath  ears  to  hear, 
let  him  hear. 

Also  Luke  13:25-29. 
Rom.   8  :17.     And  If  children, 
then   heirs ;    heirs   of  God,    and 


joint-heirs  with  Christ ;  if  so  be 
that  we  suffer  with  him,  that 
we  may  be  also  glorified  to- 
gether. 

18.  For  I  reckon  that  the  suf- 
ferings of  this  present  time   are 
not  worthy  to  "be  compared  with 
the  glory  which  shall  be  revealed 
in  us. 

19.  For   the    earnest    expecta- 
tion of  the  creature  waiteth   for 
the    manifestation    of    the    sons 
of  God. 

20.  For  the  creature  was  made 
subject  to  vanity,   not  willingly, 
but  by  reason  of  him  who  hath 
subjected  the  same  in  hope; 

21.  Because    the    creature    it* 
self  also  shall  be  delivered  from 
the    bondage    of    corruption    into 
the      glorious      liberty      of     Ihe 
children  of  God. 

22.  For    we    know    that    the 
whole     creation     groaneth     and 
travaileth  in  pain  together  until 
now. 

23.  And   not    only    they,   but 
ourselves    also,    which    have    the 
first-fruits    of    the    Spirit,    even 
we   ourselves   groan  within   our- 
selves,  waiting  for  the  adoption, 
to   wit,    the    redemption    of    our 
body. 

(15)  Rev.  11:15.  And  the 
seventh  angel  sounded ;  and 
there  followed  great  voices  in 
heaven,  and  they  said, 

The  kingdom  of  the  world 
is  become  the  kingdom  of 
our  Lord,  and  of  his  Christ : 
and  he  shall  reign  for  ever 
and  ever. 

Dan.  7 :14.  And  there  was 
given  him  dominion,  and  glory. 


THE  KINGDOM  STILL  FUTURE.  87 

unto  the  Saints  of  the  Most  High.18    Therefore  we  pray, 
as  Jesus  taught  us, 

"Thy  Kingdom  Come." 

The  Church  militant,  which  was  begun  on  the  day  of 
Pentecost  (Acts  2)  ends  at  the  Rapture,  before  the  Tribu- 
lation. „ 

The  Kingdom  begins  with  the  Revelation,  at  the  close 
of  the  Tribulation. 

It  is  the  personal  reign  of  Christ  on  earth. 

He  was  prophesied  to  be  king  of  the  Jews.    Isa.  9 :6. 

He  was  born  King  of  the  Jews.    Mat.  2 :2. 

He  said  he  was  the  King  of  the  Jews.    Mat.  27:11. 

He  was  crucified  as  King  of  the  Jews.   Mat.  27 :37. 

He  came  preaching  the  gospel  of  the  Kingdom,  saying, 
"The  time  is  fulfilled,  the  Kingdom  of  God  is  at  hand." 
Mark  1 :14-15. 

He  said  the  Kingdom  was  among  them.  Luke  17:21, 
margin. 

He  came  unto  His  own,  but  His  own  received  Him  not. 
John  1:11. 

He  would  have  set  up  the  Kingdom  (Mat.  23:37-39), 
but  they  rejected  and  crucified  Him. 

However,  God  raised  Him  from  the  dead  and  set  Him 
on  high.17 

and  a  kingdom,  that  all   people,  sacrifice    for    sins    for    ever,    sat 

nations,  -and    languages,    should  down  on  the  right  hand  of  God; 

serve   him :    his    dominion   is    an  13.  I?rom    henceforth    expect- 

everlasting  dominion,  which  shall  ing    till    his    enemies    be    made 

not  pass  away,  and  his  kingdom  his  footstool. 

that    which    shall    not    be    de-  Acts  2 :34.     For  David  is  not 

stroyed.  ascended    into   the   heavens :    but 

(16)  Dan.     7:27.       And     the  he  saith  himself,   The  Lord  said 
kingdom   and  dominion,   and   the  unto   my   Lord,    Sit  thou  on   my 
greatness   of  the  kingdom  under  right   hand, 

the  whole  heaven,  shall  be  given  35.  Until  I  make  thy  foes  thy 

to  the  people  of  the  saints  of  the  footstool. 

Most  High,  whose  kingdom  is  an  36.  Therefore  let  all  the  house 

everlasting  kingdom,  and  all  do-  of    Israel    know    assuredly,    that 

minions    shall    serve    and    obey  God    hath    made    that    same    Je- 

him.  sus,  whom  ye  have  crucified,  both 

(17)  Hftb.    10:12.       But    this  Lord  and  Christ, 
man,    after   be    hau   offered   one  Also  Mat   22 :44. 


/ 


88  JESUS  IS  COMING. 

He  sent  the  Holy  Ghost  into  the  world,  and  under  His 
power  and  guidance  the  apostles  went  out  preaching  the 
good  news  of  the  Kingdom  (Acts  2,  etc.)  to  the  Jews 
first,18  but  they  rejected  it,  and  the  disciples  turned  to  the 
Gentiles.19  Thus  the  Kingdom  came  nigh  unto  the  Jews, 
who  spurned  it,  and  while  it  waits*20  God  visits  "the  Gen- 
tiles, to  take  out  of  them  a  people  for  His  name"  (Acts 
15:14),  breaking  down  the  middle  wall  of  partition  to 
make  of  twain  (all  Jews  and  Gentiles  who  believe  in  His 
name)  one  new  man,21  that  is,  the  Church,  or  Mystical 
Body  of  Christ.22 

*This  we  believe  is  the  true  explanation  of  this  subject. 
The  Kingdom  did  come  "nigh"  when  Christ  came,  and  had 
they  received  Him,  it  would  have  been  manifested,  but  now 
it  is  in  abeyance,  or  waiting  until  He  comes  again. 

However  the  Greek  word  «VY''£U  =  engizo,  which  is  trans- 
lated at  hand  in  Mat.  3:2;  4:17:  10:7,  and  is  come  nigh  in 
Luke  10:9-11,  does  not  necessarily  mean  immediately  near. 
For  we  find  the  same  word  used  in  Rom.  13:12:  "The  day 
is  at  hand,"  and  in  Heb.  10:25,  "as  ye  see  the  day  approach- 
ing" and  in  James  5:8,  "The  coming  of  the  Lord  draweth 
nigh,"  and  in  1  Pet.,  4: 7,  "the  end  of  all  things  is  at  hand," 
each  of  which  passages  are  yet  unfulfilled. 

So  we  see  that  the  word  engizo  (is  at  hand)  covers  a 
period  of  more  than  1800  years,  and  reaches  unto  the  second 
coming  of  the  Lord. 

(18)  Acts     3:26.       Unto     you  Also  Acts  18:6  and  28:28. 
first   God,    having   raised   up   his  (20)    Mat.   23:39.      For  I  say 
Son  Jesus,  sent  him  to  bless  you,  unto  you,   Ye   shall   not  see   me 
in    turning    away    every    one    of  henceforth,     till     ye     shall     say, 
you  from  his  iniquities.  Blessed    is    he    that    cometh    in 

Rom.    1:16.      For    I    am    not  the  name  of  the  Lord, 
ashamed  of  the  gospel  of  Christ :  (21)   Eph.    2:14.      For    he    is 

for  it  is  the  power  of  God  unto  our  peace,   who   hath  made  both 

salvation  to  every  one  that  be-  one,  and  hath  broken  down  the 

lieveth ;    to    the    Jew    first,    and  middle  wall  of  partition  between 

also  to  the  Greek.  «*/ 

Also  Mat.   10:6.  15.  Having    abolished    in    his 

(19)  Acts   13 :46.     Then  Paul  flesh   the    enmity,    even   the    law 
and    Barnabas    waxed   bold,    and  of    commandments    contained    in 
said,   It  was   necessary   that  the  ordinances;  for  to  make  in  him- 
word    of    God    should    first    have  self   of   twain    one  new   man,    so 
been  spoken   to  you :   but  seeing  making  peace. 

ye  put  it  from  you,  and  judge  (22)   Eph.  4:12.  For  the  per- 

yourselves  unworthy  of  everlast-  feeling    of    the    saints,    for    the 

ing  life,  lo,  we  turn  to  the  Gen-  work    of    the    ministry,    for    the 

tiles.  edifying  oi  the  body  of  Christ : 


THE  CHURCH  AND  THE  KINGDOM. 


The  Mystery. 

Thus  the  Church  came  in  as  a  mystery,  and  was  but 
rarely,  if  at  all,  spoken  of  in  the  Old  Testament  prophe- 
cies. For  we  read  in  Rom.  16:25  that  it  is  a  "mystery, 
which  was  kept  secret  since  the  world  began,"  and  in  Eph. 
3:3-6,  "The  mystery  .  .  .  which  in  other  ages  was 
not  made  known  unto  the  sons  of  men, ' '  and  in  Col.  1 :24- 
27  ..."  Even  the  mystery  which  hath  been  hid  from 
ages  and  from  generations,  but  now  is  made  manifest 
.  .  .  the  riches  of  the  glory  of  this  mystery  among  the 
Gentiles." 

It  was  this  mystery  of  the  Church  which  so  puzzled  the 
prophets  and  caused  them  to  inquire  and  search  diligently 
what  the  Spirit  meant  when  it  testified  beforehand  the 
sufferings  of  Christ.  See  1  Pet.  1 :10-12.23  They  could  un- 


13.  Till  we  all  come  in  the 
unity  of  the  faith,  and  of  the 
knowledge  of  the  Son  of  God, 
unto  a  perfect  man,  unto  the 
measure  of  the  stature  of  the 
fulness  of  Christ: 

Eph.  5 :23.  For  the  husband 
is  the  head  of  the  wife,  even  as 
Christ  is  the  head  of  the 
Church ;  and  he  is  the  Saviour 
of  the  body. 

24.  Therefore   as   the   Church 
is  subject  unto  Christ,  so  let  the 
wives  be  to  their  own  husbands 
in  everything. 

25.  Husbands,  love  your  wives, 
even    as    Christ    also    loved    the 
church,  and  gave  himself  for  it ; 

26.  That    be    might    sanctify 
and  cleanse  it  with  the  washing 
of  water  by  the  word. 

27.  That  he  might  present  it 
to    himself    a    glorious    church, 
not  having  spot,  or  wrinkle,  or 
any    such    thing ;     but    that     it 
should     be     holy     and    without 
blemish. 

28.  So    ought    men    to    love 
their  wives  as  their  own  bodies. 
He    that   loveth    his    wife   loveth 
himself. 

29.  For    no    man    ever    yet 
bated  his  own   flesh :  but  nour- 


isheth    and    cherisheth    it,    even 
as  the  Lord  the  church: 

30.  For  w«  are  memfbers  of 
his  body.  . 

31.  For  this  cause  shall  a  man 
leave    his    father    and    mother, 
and    shall    be    joined    unto    his 
wife,  and  they  two  shall  be  one 
flesh. 

32.  This  is'  a  great  mystery : 
but    I    speak    concerning    Christ 
and  the  church. 

(23)  1  Pet.  1:10.  Of  which 
salvation  the  prophets  have  in- 
quired and  searched  diligently, 
who  prophesied  of  the  grace  that 
should  come  unto  you : 

11.  Searching    what,    or   what 
manner    of    time    the    Spirit    of 
Christ    which    was    in    them    did 
signify,  when  it  testified  before- 
hand   the    sufferings    of    Christ, 
and   the    glory    that   should    fol- 
low. 

12.  Unto    whom    it    was     re- 
vealed, that  not  unto  themselves, 
but    unto    us    they    did    minister 
the    things,    which    are   now    re- 
ported   unto    you    by    them   that 
have    preached    the    gospel    unto 
you    with    the    Holy    Ghost    sent 
down  from  heaven ;  which  things 
the  angels  desire  to  look  into. 


90  JESUS  1 8  COMING. 

derstand  the  glory  of  the  Kingdom,  which  should  follow, 
but  could  not  understand  the  mystery,  which  has  been  re- 
vealed unto  us,  and  which  interested  the  angels;  to- wit,  a 
suffering  Messiah  and  a  persecuted  Church. 

The  Church  is  to  be  the  Bride  of  Christ,  which  He  is 
going  to  present  unto  Himself.  Eph.  5:23-32. 

But  now  she  is  a  Virgin  of  sorrow  and  affliction,  a  com- 
panion in  suffering  with  her  espoused  Husband— the  Lord 
Jesus  Christ.24 

He  said:  "Because  ye  are  not  of  the  world,  but  I  have 
chosen  you  out  of  the  world,  therefore  the  world  hateth 
you,"  and  "if  they  have  persecuted  me,  they  will  also  per- 
secute you"  (John  15:19-20),  and  "in  the  world  ye  shall 
have  tribulation"  (John  16:33),  and  the  apostle  says, 
"yea,  and  all  that  will  live  godly  in  Christ  Jesus  shall  suffer 
persecution."  2  Tim.  3:12.  See  also  John  17:14;  1  Thes. 
3:3.25  And  this  is  perfectly  consistent.  For  this  world 
has  murdered  the  Son  of  God,  and  is  guilty  of  His  blood, 
but  the  Father  bears  this  insult  to  His  matchless  love  and 
grace,  patiently  staying  the  day  of  vengeance,  being  long 
suffering  and  not  willing  that  any  should  perish.20 

If  He  thus  bears  with  the  murderers  of  His  Son,  will 
He  not  bear  with  the  persecutors  of  His  Church? 

And  this  persecution  will  continue  until  Jesus  comes 
and  takes  the  Church  away,27  and  saves  her  from  the 
great  hour  of  temptation  (or  trial),  which  shall  come  upon 

(24)  2  Cor.   11:2.     For  I  am  is  not  slack  concerning  his  prom- 
jealous  over  you  with  godly  jeal-  ise,    as    some    men    count    slack- 
ousy :    for   I    have    espoused   you  ness ;  but  is  longsuffering  to  us- 
to  one  husband,  that  I  may  pre-  ward,  not  willing  that  any  should 
sent   you   as  a   chaste  virgin   to  perish,  but  that  all  should  come 
Christ.  to  repentance. 

(25)  John      17:14.       I     have  (27)      1   Tfoea.  4:16.     For  the 
given   them    thy   word  ;    and   the  Lord  himself  shall  descend  from 
world  hath  hated  them,  because  heaven    with    a    shout    with   the 
«,„                    „,  „,            ,,,  voice  of  the  archangel,  and  with 
they  are  not  of  the  world,  even  the    trump    of    Qod*    'and       the 

as  I  am  not  of  the  world.  ,jea(i  jn  Christ  shall  rise  first ; 

1    Thes.    3 :3.      That    no    man  17.    Then  we  which  are   alive 

should    be    moved    by    these    at-  and   remain    shall   be   caught   up 

flictions :     for     yourselves     know  !?**££  *M£  V^S  ^ 

that  we  are  appointed  thereunto.  ^f  .£»,  ^^ 

(26)  2    Pet.    3:9.      The    Lord  the   Lord. 


THE  CHURCH  AND  THE  KINGDOM. 


91 


all  the  world,28  when  He  shall  recompense  tribulation  to 
them  that  have  troubled  her.29  And  this  spirit  of  rebellion 
and  persecution  will  continue,  even  through  the  tribula- 
tion30 and  up  to  the  very  day  of  the  Lord,31  when  Christ 
shall  be  revealed  in  flaming  fire,32  with  His  Saints,  to 


(28)  Rev.  3:10.  Because  thou 
hast  kept   the   word  of   my   pa- 
tience, I  also  will  keep  thee  from 
the    hour    of    temptation,    which 
shall   come   upon   all   the  world, 
to  try  them  that  dwell  upon  the 
earth. 

(29)  2  Thes.  1:6.     Seeing  it  is 
a    righteous    thing    with    God    to 
recompense    tribulation    to    them 
that  trouble   you ; 

(30)  Rev.     16:9.       And     men 
were    scorched   with    great   heat, 
and     blasphemed    the    name    of 
God,     which     hath    power    over 
these. 

11.  And  blasphemed  the  God 
of  heaven  because  of  their  pains 
and  their  sores,  and  repented  not 
of  their  deeds. 

14.  For  they  are  the  spirits 
of  devils,  working  miracles, 
which  go  forth  unto  the  kings 
of  the  earth  and  of  the  whole 
world,  to  gather  them  to  the  bat- 
tle of  that  great  day  of  God  Al- 
mighty. 

21.  And  there  fell  upon  men 
a  great  hail  out  of  heaven,  every 
stone  about  the  weight  of  a  tal- 
ent and  men  blasphemed  God  be- 
cause of  the  plague  of  the  hail ; 
for  the  plague  thereof  was  ex- 
ceeding great. 

(31)  2  Pet.  3:1.     This  second 
epistle,  beloved,  I  now  write  unto 
you ;    In    both    which    I    stir    up 
your  pure  minds  by  way  of  re- 
membrance ; 

2.  That  ye  may  be  mindful  of 
the  words  which  were  spoken  be- 
fore  by  the  holy  prophets,   and 
of   the   commandment   of  us   the 
apostles  of  the  Lord  and  Saviour : 

3.  Knowing     this     first,     that 
there  shall  come  in  the  last  days 
scoffers,  walking  after  their  own 
lusts, 


4.  And   saying,   Where   Is   the 
promise  of  his  coming?  for  since 
the  fathers  fell  asleep,  all  things 
continue   as  they  were   from  the 
beginning  of  the  creation. 

5.  For  this  they  willingly  are 
Ignorant  of,  that  by  the  word  of 
God    the    heavens    were    of    old, 
and  the  earth  standing  out  of  the 
water  and  in  the  water : 

6.  Whereby     the     world     that 
then  was,  being  overflowed  with 
water,    perished : 

7.  But    the    heavens    and    the 
earth    which    are    now,    by    the 
same  word  are  kept  in  store,  re- 
served unto  fire  against  the  day 
of  judgment  and  perdition  of  un- 
godly men. 

8.  But,    beloved,   be   not   igno- 
rant of  this  one  thing,  that  one 
day  is  with  the  Lord  as  a  thou- 
sand years,  and  a  thousand  years' 
as  one  day. 

9.  The  Lord  Is  not  slack  con- 
cerning his  promise,  as  some  men 
count    slackness ;     but    is    long- 
suffering  to  us-ward,  not  willing 
that  any  should  perish,  but  that 
all  should  come  to  repentance. 

10.  But  the  day  of  the  Lord  will 
come  as  a  thief  in  the  night ;  in 
the  which  the  heavens  shall  pass 
away  with  a  great  noise,  and  the 
elements  shall  melt  with  fervent 
heat,     the    earth    also    and    the 
works  that  are  therein  shall  be 
burnt  up. 

(32)  2  Thes.  1:7.  And  to  you 
that  are  afflicted  rest  with  us, 
at  the  revelation  of  the  Lord 
Jesus  from  heaven  with  the  ant- 
gels  of  his  power  in  flaming 
fire, 

8.  Rendering  vengeance  to 
them  that  know  not  God,  and  to 
them  that  obey  not  the  gospel 
of  our  Lord  Jesus  : 


92 


JESUS  IS  COMING. 


execute  judgment  upon  the  earth.33  So  we  see  that  there 
is  no  place  in  the  whole  earthly  history  of  such  a  perse- 
cuted Church,  for  the  Millennial  Kingdom.  For,  in  that 
time,  "righteousness  and  peace"  shall  kiss  each  other, 
"truth  shall  spring  out  of  the  earth,  and  righteousness  shall 
look  out  of  heaven."  Psa,  85. 

"A  King  shall  reign  in  righteousness,  and  Princes  shall 
rule  in  judgment."  Isa,  32 :1.  With  righteousness  shall 
He  judge  the  poor.  Judah  and  Israel  shall  be  restored 
and  dwell  safely.  There  shall  be  no  harm  nor  destruction 
in  all  God's  holy  mountain,  and  even  the  animals  shall  be 
at  peace.34 

Again,  from  all  of  these  passages,  and  especially  Isa.  60, 
we  see  that  restored  Israel  and  Jerusalem  are  to  be  the 
very  central  glory  of  the  Millennial  Kingdom.  But  God 
does  not  restore  Israel  and  rebuild  Zion,  or  Jerusalem, 
until  He  appears  in  His  glory. 

"When  the  Lord  shall  build  up  Zion,  He  shall  appear 
in  His  glory."  Psa.  102:16.  And  He  does  not  build  up 


9.  Who    shall    suffer    punish- 
ment,    even    eternal    destruction 
from   the   face   of  the   Lord   and 
from  the  glory  of  his  might, 

10.  When  he  shall  come  to  bo 
glorified  in  his  saints,  and  to  be 
marvelled    at    ia    all    them    that 
believed    (because  our  testimony 
unto  you  was  believed)    in   that 
day. 

(33)  Jude  14.  And  Enoch  also, 
the  seventh  from  Adam,  prophe- 
sied of  these,  saying,  behold,  the 
Lord   cometh   with  ten  thousand 
of   his    saints. 

15.  To  execute  judgment  upon 
all,  and  to  convince  all  that  are 
ungodly  among  them  of  all  their 
ungodly  deeds  which  they  have 
ungodly  committed,  and  of  all 
their  hard  speeches  which  un- 
godly sinners  have  spoken 
against  him. 

(34)  Isa.     11:4.       But     with 
righteousness  shall  he  judge  the 
poor,    and    reprove    with    equity 
for  the  meek  of  the  earth :  and 
he  shall  smite  the  earth  with  the 
rod  of  his   mouth,   and  with  the 


breath  of  his  lips  shall  he  slay 
the  wicked. 

5.  And   righteousness   shall   be 
the  girdle  of  his  lo.'ns,  and  faith- 
fulness the  girdle  of  his  reins. 

6.  The   wolf    also    shall    dwell 
with   the   lamb,    and  the   leopard 
shall  lie  down  with  the  kid ;  and 
the  calf  and  young  lion  and  the 
fatling    together ;     and     a    little 
child  shall   lead  them. 

7.  And  the   cow  and  the  bear 
shall  feed  ;  their  young  ones  shal} 
lie  down   together :   and  the  lion 
shall  eat  straw  like  the  ox. 

8.  And  the  sucking  child  shall 
play    on    the    hole    of    the    asp, 
and   the   weaned   child   shall   put 
his  hand  on  the  cockatrice'  den. 

9.  They  shall  not  hurt  nor  de- 
stroy  in  all  my  holy  mountain  : 
for  the  earth  shall  be  full  of  the 
knowledge    of    the    Lord,    as    the 
waters   cover  the   sea. 

Rom.  8  :21.  Because  the  crea- 
ture itself  also  shall  be  deliv- 
ered from  the  bondage  of  cor- 
ruption into  the  glorious  liberty 
of  the  children  of  God. 


THE  CHURCH  AND  THE  KINGDOM.  93 

Zion  or  the  tabernacle  of  David  until  He  has  taken  out 
the  Church.35 

Thus  we  see  a  clear  distinction  between  the  suffering 
Church  and  the  glorious  Kingdom,  which  are  separated  by 
the  Tribulation,  to-wit: 

» 
i 
<  i 

ja  w 

THE  CHURCH.  £  TRIBULATION  p  THE  KINGDOM. 

See  Diagram,  page  72. 
The  Church  Shall  Be  Rewarded. 

But,  do  you  ask:  "Is  the  Church  always  to  suffer  and 
be  persecuted?" 

Surely  not.  For  she  shall  yet  be  married.  And  the 
light  affliction  shall  work  out  a  far  more  exceeding  and 
eternal  weight  of  glory  in  the  things  which  are  not  (yet) 
seen,36  and  the  church  shall  be  counted  worthy  of  the 
Kingdom  of  God  for  which  she  suffers,  when  the  Lord 
Jesus  is  revealed  from  heaven.37  Therefore  we  glory  in 

22.  For    we    know    that    the  16.     After  this  I  will   return, 
whole     creation     groaneth     and  and  will   build  again  the   taber- 
travaileth  in  pain  together  until  nacle   of  David,   which   is   fallen 
now.  down ;    and    I    will    build    again 

23.  And    not    only    they,   but  the  ruins  thereof,  and  I  will  set 
ourselves    also,    which    have    the  it  up : 

first-fruits    of    the    Spirit,    even  17.    That  the   residue   of  men 

we   ourselves   groan   within   our-  might   seek   after   the  Lord,    and 

selves,  waiting  for  the  adoption.  all     the     Gentiles,     upon     whom 

to    wit,    the    redemption    of    our  my    name    is    called,    saith    the 

body.  Lord  who  doeth  all  these  things. 

Also    Jer.    23:3-8    and   32:36-  (sg)    2    Cor.    4:17.      For    our 

44;    Bzek.    34,    36    and    37    and  ligM  affllction,   which   is  but   for 

many  others.  a  moment,  worketh  for  us  a  far 

(35)    Acts   15:13.      And   after  more      exceeding      and      eternal 

they  had  held  their  peace,  James  wei  M   of      lo 

answered,       saying,       Men      ana  ,       _,....            ,     , 

brethren,  hearken  unto  me:  th.18'  Wh,l !  e,,we  I0°k  D0t  ' *\  th! 

14.  Simeon  hath  declared  how  g? ^n^  which*  a^nOt^ enl 
Stilt  ^  t£?  outV'ttnfa"  <«   *•    thing,    which .are   seen 
people   for  his   name.  ar*.    tei°P<"-al :    but    the    things 

15.  And    to    this    agree    the       which  are  not  seen   are  eternal, 
words  of  the  prophets;  as  it  is  (3?)   2  Thes.  1:4.     So  that  we 
written,                                                       ourselves    glory    in    you    in    the 


04  JESUS  IS  COMING. 

tribulations,  knowing  that  tribulation  worketh  patience; 
and  patience,  experience;  land  experience,  hope.  Rom. 
5:3-4.  And  when  Christ,  who  is  our  hope  (1  Tim.  1:1) 
and  our  life  shall  appear,  then  shall  we  also  appear  with 
Him  in  glory.38  If  we  suffer  with  Him  we  shall  also  reign 
with  Him.30  We  shall  reign  on  the  earth.  Rev.  5:10. 
Hence  we  conclude  that  the  Church  shall  be  recompensed 
in  reigning,  with  Christ,  over  the  Millennial  Kingdom. 
"Fear  not,  little  flock,  for  it  is  your  Father's  good  pleasure 
to  give  you  the  kingdom."  Lu.  12:32;  Dan.  7:18-22-27. 
0!  then,  let  us  pray  as  Jesus  taught  us:  "Thy  kingdom 
come." 

Nominal  Christians. 

But,  do  you  say,  "The  Church  is  not  persecuted,  and 
does,  even  now,  enjoy  comparative  peace"? 

We  answer,  it  is  because  the  professing  Church  (and 
by  this  we  include  Roman  Catholics,  Greeks  and  all  nomi- 
nal Christians— in  all  perhaps  400,000,000)  has  conformed 
so  largely  to  the  world  that  the  world  has  little,  if  any, 
controversy  with  her. 

Of  what  avail  to  God  are  nominal,  cold-hearted,  world- 
conforming  Christians?  He  wants  a  separate  and  holy 

churches    of    God    for   your    pa-  9.  Who  shall  be  punished  with 

tlence  and  faith  in  all  your  per-  everlasting  destruction  from  the 

secutlons  and  tribulations  that  ye  presence  of  the   Lord,   and   from 

endure :  the  glory  of  his  power ; 

5.  Which  is  a  manifest  token  10.  When  he  shall  come  to  be 

of  the  righteous  Judgment  of  God,  glorified  In  his  saints,  and  to  be 

that  ye  may  be  counted  worthy  admired  in  all  them  that  believe 

of  the  kingdom  of  God,  for  which  (because    our    testimony    among 

ye  also  suffer :  you  was  believed)   in  that  day. 

.  him  in  glory. 

(39)   Rom.  8:17.    And  If  chil- 

7.  And  to  you  who  are  trou-  dren>   then   heirs,   heirs   of   God, 
bled  rest  with  us,  when  the  Lord  an<j   joint   heirs   with    Christ ;    if 
Jesus    shall     be     revealed     from  so    De   that  we   suffer  with   him, 
heaven  with   his  mighty   angels,  that  we  may  be  also  glorified  to- 

8.  In  flaming  fire  taking  ven-  gether. 

geance    on    them   that   know    not  2  Tim.  2 :12.    If  we  suffer,  we 

God,  and  that  obey  not  the  gos-       shall  also  reign  with  him;  If  we 
pel  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ:  deny  him,  he  also  will   deny  us 


THE  TRUE  CHURCH.  95 

people,  and  the  command  is,  "Come  out  and  be  ye  sepa- 
rate."   2  Cor.  6:14-18. 

We  believe  that  the  birds  of  the  air  and  the  leaven  in 
the  parables  of  Mat.  13  represent    the    children  of    the 
wicked  one,  or  hypocrites,  which  have  lodged  in  the  Church  ? 
and  the  false  doctrines  which  have  crept  in  and  so  per-  "x 
vaded  the  professing  Church  that  it  has,  in  the  main,  be 
come  merely  formal  and  nominal. 

God  wants  zealous  Christians,  in  whom  the  "Word  of 
Life  shall  burn  as  it  did  in  Jeremiah's  bones.  And  are 
not  the  number  of  these  few,  even  today? 

The  professing  Church  is  luke-warm,  and,  we  fear,  al- 
most ready  to  be  spued  out  of  the  Master's  mouth.  But, 
thanks  be  unto  His  name,  there  are  those  who  are  rebuked 
and  chastened,  and  who  are  buying  gold  and  white  raiment 
and  anointing  their  eyes  that  they  may  see,  and  who  will 
overcome  and  sit  down  with  Christ  in  His  throne.  Rev. 
3:14-22. 

Tt«  True  Church. 

There  is  truly  a  Church,  and  it  is  THE  BODY  OF 
CHRIST,*0  one  and  indivisible,*1  composed  of  all  true  be- 
lievers in  Him.42  It  may  be  called  a  church  within,  or 
among  the  churches— the  wheat  among  the  chaff.  And  let 
us  remember  that  this  true  Church  of  Christ  is  appointed 
unto  affliction,  and  that  the  intervals  of  rest  (Acts  9:31) 
only  strengthen  her  to  endure  new  and  varied  forms  of 
persecution.  This  has  been  her  history,  and  we  may  ex- 
pect it  will  be  her  future,  amid  the  scoffers,  evil  men  and 
seducers  of  the  last  times.43 

(40)  Eph.    1 :22.      And    hath  whether    we    be    Jews    or    Gen- 
put  all  things  under  his  feet,  and  tiles,    whether    we    be    bond    or 
gave  him  to  be  the  head  over  all  free ;  and  have  been  all  made  to 
things  to  the  church,  drink  into  one  Spirit. 

23.  Which  is  his  body,  the  ful-  (42)   Eph.  4:11.    And  he  gave 

ness   of   him   that   filleth   all    in  some,  apostles ;  and  some,  proph- 

all.  ets ;  and  some,  evangelists  ;  and 

(41)  1  Cor.  12:12.  For  as  the  some,  pastors  and  teachers; 
body    is    one,    and    hath    many  12.  For  the  perfecting  of  the 
members,    and   all    the   members  saints,  for  the  work  of  the  min- 
of   that   one   body,    being   many,  istry,    for    the   edifying    of   tlie 
»re  one  body :  so  also  is  Christ.  body  of  Christ. 

13.  For  by  one  Spirit  are  we  (43)  2  Pet.  3  :3.  Knowing  this 

all     baptized     into     one     body,        first,   that  there  shall   come   iu 


96 


JE8D8  18  COMING. 


And  yet  it  is  her  blessed  privilege,  in  all  her  affliction, 
to  know  that  she  travails  in  the  birth  of  souls,44  which  are 
born  from  above  by  the  Holy,  Ghost  (John  3),  and  that 
the  gospel  (good  news)  of  the  Kingdom,  which  she  preaches 
is  the  power  of  God  unto  salvation  unto  all  who  believe.45 

The  Bride  of  Christ. 

"Husbands,  love  your  wives,  even  as  Christ  also  loved 
the  Church,  and  gave  Himself  for  it,  that  He  might  sanc- 
tify and  cleanse  it  with  the  washing  of  water  by  the  word, 
that  He  might  present  it  to  Himself  a  glorious  Church, 
not  having  spot  or  wrinkle,  or  any  such  thing;  but  that 
it  should  be  holy  and  without  blemish." 

In  this  precious  passage  (Eph.  5)  the  Church,  as  the 
Bride  of  Christ,  is  typified  by  the  most  intimate,  tender 
and  sacred  relationship  known  among  the  children  of  men. 

Abraham's  servant  went  into  a  far  country  (Gen.  24) 
to  seek  a  bride  for  Isaac,  who  was  the  honored  type  of 
Christ  as  a  sacrifice.  Gen.  22.  So  has  the  Holy  Spirit 
come  into  the  world  to  seek  a  Bride  for  Jesus.  The  ser- 
vant said,  "Hinder  me  not."  So  the  Holy  Ghost  is  striv- 
ing with  the  world,  and  pleading  with  cold-hearted  pro- 
fessors, that  He  may  hasten  the  presentation  of  the  brida 
to  the  Bridegroom.  See  Mat.  22:2-10. 

Rebekah  said,  "I  will  go."     So  the  Bride  should  be 


the    last    days    scoffers,    -walking 
after  their  own  lusts. 

1  Tim.    4  :1.      Now  the   Spirit 
speaketh   expressly,    that    in   the 
latter    times    some    shall    depart 
from    the    faith,    giving    heed    to 
seducing    spirits,    and    doctrines 

of  devils- 

2  Tim.  3  :1.     This  know  also, 
that    in    the    last    days    perilous 
times  shall  come. 

2.  For  men  shall  be  lovers  of 
their  own  selves,  covetous,  boast- 
ers,    proud,    blasphemers,    diso- 
bedient    to    parents,    unthankful, 
unholy, 

3.  'Without    natural     affection, 
trucebreakers,  false  accusers,  in- 
continent,     fierce,     despisers     of 
those  that  are  good, 


'  4.  Traitors,  heady,  highmind- 
ed,  lovers  of  pleasures  more  than 
lovers  of  God  ; 

5-  Having  a  form  of  godli- 
ness.  but  denying  the  power 
thereof:  from  such  turn  away. 

Also  2  Tim    4  -1-5 
,  ....   „.       .    '      ' 

(  *,     V        T   *My     "ttle 

°.f  whom,  J   *raya11    * 

1  b* 

ou> 

Also   *    Cor-  4  :15  ;   Phile.   10. 

(45)  Rom.  1:16.  For  I  am 
not  ashamed  of  the  gospel  of 
Christ:  for  it  is  the  power  of 
God  unto  salvation  to  every  one 
that  belleveth  ;  to  the  Jew  first, 
and  also  to  the  Greek. 


THE   BRIDE    OF   CHRIST.  97 

yearning  to  go.  God  has  made  the  wedding  and  prepared 
the  feast,  and  all  things  (except  the  Bride)  are  ready  for 
the  rapturous  meeting,  and  blessed  are  they  who  are 
called  unto  the  marriage  supper  of  the  Lamb.  Rev.  19 :9. 
0!  that  the  Church  would  work  a  hundredfold  more 
earnestly  for  the  conversion  of  souls  and  the  edifying  of 
the  body  of  Christ,  that  the  bride  might  be  complete,  and 
thus  hasten  the  coming  of  her  Lord,46  ever  listening  to 
catch  the  midnight  cry:  "Behold  the  Bridegroom  cometh!" 
and  "so  be  ready  to  go  out  to  meet  Him."  Mat.  25:6. 

"O!  I  am  my  Beloved's,  and  my  Beloved  is  mine; 
He  brings  a  poor  vile  sinner  into  His  'house  of  wine.' 
I   stand   upon   His   merit — I   know   no    safer   stand, 
Not  e'en  where  glory  dwelleth  in  Immanuel's  land. 

The  bride  eyes  not  her  garment,  but  her  dear  Bridegroom's 

face; 

I  will  not  gaze  at  glory,  but  on  my  King  of  Grace; 
Not  at  the  crown  He  giveth,  but  on  His  pierced  hand — 
The  Lamb  is  all  the  glory  of  Immanuel's  land." 

(46)  2  Pet.  3 :11.  Seeing  then  12.  Looking  for  and  hasting 
that  all  these  things  shall  be»dis-  the  coming  of  the  day  of  God, 
solved,  what  manner  of  persons  wherein  the  heavens  being  on 
ought  ye  to  be  in  all  holy  con-  fire  shall  be  dissolved,  and  the 
versation  and  godliness.  elements  shall  melt  with  fer- 

vent heat? 


CHAPTER  XI. 

TRIBULATION— RESURRECTION— JUDGMENT. 
The  Tribulation. 

We  use  this  term  to  designate  the  whole  period  of  earthly 
history,  between  the  Eapture  and  the  Revelation,  or  be- 
tween the  Church  and  the  Millennial  Kingdom.  It  will  not 
altogether  be  a  time  of  tribulation,  for  in  it  "they  shall 
rejoice  and  send  gifts  one  to  another"  (Rev.  11:10),  and 
shall  say  "peace  and  safety."  1  Thes.  5:3.  We  believe 
that  it  will  be  comparatively  a  short  season,  because  the 
6,000  years  and  the  times,  or  year-days,  of  prophecy  have 
nearly  run  out.  Doubtless  it  embraces  the  last  one  of 
Daniel's  seventy  weeks,1  for  the  reason  that  then  God  be- 
gins to  deal  with  Israel  again,  after  He  has  taken  the 
Church  away,2  and  yet  it  is  probable  that  it  includes  much 
more  than  the  seven  years  of  that  week. 

It  is  certain  that  there  will  be  in  it  a  period  of  un- 
equalled trial,  sorrow  and  calamity,3  spiritual  darkness  and 
open  wickedness.4  It  is  the  night  of  the  world.6  But  the 

(1)  Dan.  9:27.     And  he  shall       down;    and    I    will    build    again 
confirm  the  covenant  with  many      the  ruins  thereof,  and  I  will  set 
for  one  week :   and  in  the  midst       "   up  • 

of  the  week  he  shall  cause  the  17.    That  the  residue  of  men 

sacrifice     and     the     oblation     to  might   seek   after  the  Lord,    and 

ceas'e,  and  for  the  overspreading  all     the     Gentiles,     upon     whom 

of  abominations  he  shall  make  it  mv    name    is    called,    saith    the 

desolate,  even  until  the  consum-  Lord,  who  doeth  all  these  things, 

mation,      and     that     determined  <3)    Mat-    24:21.       For     then 

shall   be   poured   upon   the   deso-  sha11    be   8reat   tribulation,    snch 

late  as   was   not   since   the  beginning 

(2)  Acts    15:13.      And    after      of   the    world    to    thls    tlme-    no- 
they  had  held  their  peace,  James      nor  ever  sha11  be- 

answered,       saying,      Men      and  Also  Dan-  12 :1< 

brethren,  hearken  unto  me  :  (4)   2  Pet.  3  :3.     Knowing  this 

14.  Simeon  hath  declared  how  first,    that    there    shall    come    In 
God    at    the    first    did    visit    th«  the    last    days    scoffers,    walking 
Gentiles',    to    take    out    of    them  after  their  own  lusts. 

a  neople   for   his  name.                 -  *•     And  s-aylnig,  Where  is  the 

15.  And    to    this    agree    the  promise  of  his  comintr?  for  siace 
words  of  the  prophets ;  as  it  Is  the  fathers  fell  asleep,  all  things 
written,  continue  as  they  were  from  the 

16.  After  this  T  will  return,      beginning  of  the  creation, 
and  will  build  again  the  taber-          Also  Luke  18:7. 

nacle  of  David,   which  is  fallen  (5)  John  9:4.     I  must  work 

(98) 


THE    RESURRECTION.  99 

true  Church,  which  is  not  of  the  night,*  being  watchful 
and  prayerful,  will  be  accounted  worthy  to  escape  it,  by 
the  Rapture,  and  to  stand  before  the  Son  of  Man,1  while  o*^  £ 
a  third  part  of  Israel  will  be  brought  through  it,8  and  for 
the  elect's  sake  the  days  of  this  culminating  tribulation 
shall  be  shortened9  by  the  revelation  of  Christ.10  From 
Isa.,  chapters  24  to  28,  an  idea  may  be  gained  of  the  ter- 
rible character  of  this  period,  during  which  Antichrist  will 
also  be  revealed  (see  p.  107).  Some,  especially  from  the 
remnant  of  Israel,  will  accept  of  Christ  and  become  His 
witnesses,  and  be  slain  by  Antichrist.  These  we  call  the 
tribulation  saints,  who  are  to  be  raised  at  the  close  of  the 
great  tribulation,  as  the  gleanings  of  the  great  harvest  of 
the  first  resurrection. 

The  Resurrection. 

In  regard  to  the  Resurrection,  we  would  say  that  the 
literal  rendering  of  1  Cor.  15:23,  is  "but  each  one  in  his 
own  band." 

It  seems  plain  that  the  resurrection  of  those  "who  are 
Christ's  at  His  coming,"  includes  both  those  who  consti- 
tute the  Bride,  who  are  raised  at  the  Rapture,  when  Christ 

tke  works  of  him  that  sent  me,  (8)  Zech.    13:9.     And   I   will 

while  it  is  day :  the  night  com-  bring  the  third  part  through  the 

eth,  when  no  man  can  work.  fire,  and  will  refine  them  as  sil- 

Luke    17 :34.      I    tell    you,    in  ver  is  refined,  and  will  try  thorn 

that    night    there    shall    be    two  as  &old  is  tried :  they  shall  call 

men  In  one  bed ;  the  one  shall  be  on    m?   name,    and    I    will    hear 

taken,    and    the    other    shall    be  them:  I  will  say,  It  is  my  peo- 

left_  pie ;    and    they    shall    say,    The 

(6)  1    Thes.     6:4.      But    ye        Ij°rd  **  my  God' 

brethren,    are    not    in    darkness,  tv  (9)  _Mat'   ?4  :?2.      And  except 

that    that    day    should    overtake  ^ose  d*ys,.,sllould,  b®  shortened, 

you  as  a  thief.  there  should  no  flesh  be  saved: 

...    ...  „   ..        .  .,.  but    for    the    elect  s    sake    those 

5    Ye  are  all  the  children  of  d        shal,  fee  shortened. 
light,    and    the    children    of    the  (1Q)  2  Thes,   t  .7     And  tQ  you 

day :  we  are  not  of  the  night,  nor  wno    are   troubled   rest   with   us, 

of  darkness.  when    the    Lord    Jesus    shall    be 

(7)  Luke    21:36.      Watch    ye  revealed   from   heaven   with   his 
therefore,  and  pray  always,  that  mlj?h^,  *"*!& 

ye  tnay  be  accounted  worthy   to  ^  ™j£J  *.   £Saffi»  ,£•» 

escape  all  these  things  that  shall  the  ^^  shall  consume  with  the 

come  to  pass,   and  to  stand  be-  BpMt   of    his    mouth,    and    shall 

fore  the  Son  of  man.  destroy    with    the    brightness  of 

Also  Rev.  3  :10.  his  coming. 


100 

' 


JE8U8  18  COMING. 


comes  into  the  air;  and  the  Old  Testament  saints,11  the 
friends  of  the  Bridegroom,12  who  doubtless  are  raised  in 
a  different  band  from  the  Church,  see  Rev.  6:9-ll,13  and 
also  those  who  believe  and  suffer  during  the  tribulation,14 
who  will  be  raised  at  the  Revelation  (when  Christ  comes 
to  the  earth),  to  take  part  with  Him  in  the  Millennial 
Kingdom.15 


(11)  Job  19:25.     For  I  know 
that    my    Redeemer    liveth,    and 
that  he  sball  stand  at  tbe  latter 
day  upon  tbe  earth : 

26.  And  though  after  my  skin 
worms  destroy  tbis  body,  yet  in 
my  flesh  sball  I  see  God: 

27.  Wbom  I  shall  see  for  my- 
s'elf,  and  mine  eyes  shall  behold, 
and     not    another ;     though    my 
reins  be  consumed  within  me. 

Isa.  26 :19.  Thy  dead  men 
shall  live,  together  with  my 
dead  body  sball  they  arise. 
Awake  and  sing,  ye  that  dwell 
in  dust :  for  thy  dew  is  as  the 
dew  of  herbs,  and  the  earth  shall 
cast  out  the  dead. 

Hos.  13 :14.  I  will  ransom 
them  from  the  power  of  the 
grave  ;  I  will  redeem  them  from 
death :  O  death,  I  will  be  thy 
plagues  ;  O  grave,  I  will  be  thy 
destruction :  repentance  shall  be 
hid  from  mine  eyes'. 

Ezek.  37:12.  Therefore 

prophesy  and  say  unto  them, 
Thus  saith  the  Lord  God ;  Be- 
hold, O  my  people,  I  will  open 
your  graves,  and  cause  you  to 
come  up  out  of  your  graves,  and 
bring  you  into  the  land  of  Israel. 

13.  And  ye  shall  know  that  I 
am     the     Lord,     when     I     have 
opened   your  graves,   O   my  peo- 
ple,  and  brought  you   up  out   of 
your  graves, 

14.  And    shall    put    my    Spirit 
in  you,  and  ye  shall  live;  and  I 
shall     place    you    in    your    own 
land :  then  shall  ye  know  that  I 
the    Lord    have    spoken    it,    and 
performed   it,   saith    the    Lord. 

Also  Heb.  11 :39-40. 

(12)  John    3:28.      Ye    your- 


selves bear  me  witness,  that  1 
said,  I  am  not  the  Christ,  but 
that  I  am  sent  before  him. 

29.  He  that  hath  the  bride  is 
the  bridegroom :  but  the  friend 
of  the  bridegroom,  which  stand- 
eth  and  heareth  him,  rejoiceth 
greatly  because  of  the  bride- 
groom's voice:  this  my  joy 
therefore  is  fulfilled. 

(13)  Rev.  6:9.     And  when  he 
had  opened  the  fifth  seal,   I  saw 
under  the  altar  the  souls  of  them 
that  were  slain   for  the  word  of 
God,      and     for     the     testimony 
which   they  held : 

10.  And  they  cried  with  a  loud 
voice,  saying,  How  long,  O  Lord, 
holy    and    true,    dost    thou    not 
judge   and    avenge   our   blood  on 
tnem  that  dwell  on  the  earth? 

11.  And      white      robes     were 
given    unto    every   one   of  them ; 
and  it  was  said  unto  them,  that 
they   should  rest  yet  for  a  little 
season,    until    their    fellow   serv- 
ants   also    and    their    brethren, 
that    should    be    killed    as    they 
were,   should   be   fulfilled. 

(14)  Rev.  13  :15.     And  he  had 
power  to  give  life  unto  the  image 
of   the  beast,   that  the  image  of 
the  beast  should  both  speak,  and 
cause    that    as    many    as    would 
not    worship    the    image    of    the 
beast   should  be   killed. 

(15)  Rev.    20:4.     And   I   saw 
thrones,  and  they  sat  upon  them, 
and    judgment    was    given    unto 
them :    and    I   saw   the    souls    of 
them  that  were  beheaded  for  the 
witness    of    Jesus,    and    for    the 
word    of    God,    and    which    had 
not  worshipped  the  beast,  neither 
his   image,    neither   bad   received 


JUDGMENT. 


101 


This  latter  we  represent  by  "R.  T."  on  the  diagram. 
Then,  the  great  harvest  of  the  first  Resurrection— or  the 
Resurrection  of  Life— includes: 


CHRIST 

THEY 

THAT  ARE 

CHRIST'S 

AT  HIS 
COMING. 


THE    FIRST     FRUITS. 


THE  CHURCH 
AND  OLD  TESTAMENT 

SAINTS. 


THE  TRIBULATION 
SAINTS. 


THE 
INGATHERING. 


THE 
GLEANING. 


The  second  Resurrection,  or  Resurrection  of  Judgment,16 
occurs  after  the  Millennium,  and  includes  the  remaining 
dead." 

Judgment. 

We  often  hear  Post-millennialists  use  the  expression 
"General  Judgment,"  thereby  conveying  the  idea  of  some 
future  day  in  which  all  mankind  will  simultaneously  ap- 
pear before  God  to  be  judged. 


Tits  mark  upon  their  foreheads, 
or  in  their  hands :  and  they 
lived  and  reigned  with  Christ  a 
thousand  years. 

5.  But  the   rest   of   the   dead 
lived  not  again   until   the  thou- 
sand years  were  finished.     This 
is  the  first  resurrection. 

6.  Blessed  and  holy  is  he  that 
hath  part  in  the  first  resurrec- 
tion :  on  such  the  second  death 
hath    no    power,    but   they   shall 
be  priests  of  God  and  of  Christ, 
and  shall  reign  with  him  a  thou- 
sand years. 

Also  Rom.  11 :15. 

(16)  John  5:29.  And  shall 
come  forth ;  they  that  have  done 
good,  unto  the  resurrection  of 
life;  and  they  that  have  done 


evil,    unto    the    resurrection    of 
damnation   (judgment). 

(17)  Rev.  20:12.  And  I  saw 
the  dead,  small  and  great,  stand 
before  God :  and  the  books  were 
opened ;  and  another  book  was 
opened,  which  is  the  book  of 
life:  and  the  dead  were  judged 
out  of  those  things  which  were 
written  in  the  books,  according 
to  their  works. 

13.  And  the  sea  gave  up  the 
dead  which  were  in  it ;  and  death 
and    hell   delivered   up   the    dead 
which   were   in   them:   and   they 
were  judged  every  man   accord- 
Ing  to  their  works. 

14.  And  death   and  hell   were 
cast  Into  the  lalie  of  fire.     This 
is  the  second  death. 


102  JESUS  IS  COMING. 

The  expression  is  not  in  the  Scriptures.  Pre-millen- 
nialists  believe  that  the  Judgment  is  general,  only  in  the 
sense  that  all  are  judged — but  not  all  at  the  same  time. 

The  Judgment  of  believers,  as  sinners,  is  past,  being 
accomplished  in  Christ  on  the  cross. 

"He  that  heareth  my  word,  and  believeth  on  Him  that 
sent  me,  hath  everlasting  life,  and  shall  not  come  into  con- 
demnation (Greek,  Judgment) ;  but  is  passed  from  death 
unto  life."  John  5:24.  See  also  John  3:17-19  (R.  V.) 
Judged  instead  of  condemned.18 

There  is  a  Judgment  day  coming,  not  a  day  of  twenty- 
four  hours,  but  a  long  series  of  years.  Day  is  used  to 
designate  such  a  period  in  2  Cor.  6 :2 ;  Eph.  6 :13,  and  Heb. 
3:8.19  The  "Hour"  in  John  5:25,  has  been  over  eighteen 
centuries  long.  So  "the  hour"  in  John  5:28  may  be  cen- 
turies of  years. 

This  "Day  of  Judgment"**  is  also  called  "The  Day  of 
the  Lord,"6  "The  Last  Day,"*5  and  "The  Great  Day."* 

It  is  ushered  in  with  plagues20  and  closes  in  fire,21  be- 

aMat.  10:15;  11:22;  11:24;  12:36;  Mar.  6:11;  2  Pet.  2:9;  3:7; 
1  John  4:17. 

blsa.  2:12;  13:6,  9;  34:8;  Lam.  2:22;  Ezk.  13:5;  Joel  1:15; 
2:1;  3:14;  Amos  5:18;  Obd.  15;  Zeph.  1:7,  8,  18;  2:2,  3;  Zech. 
14:1;  1  Cor.  5:5;  2  Cor.  1:14;  1  Thes.  5:2;  2  Pet.  3:10. 

c  John  6:39,  40.  44,  54;  11:24;  2  Tim.  3:1. 

dJer.  30:7;  Hos.  1:11;  Joel  2:11,  31;  Zeph.  1:14;  Mai.  4:5; 
Jude  6;  Rev.  6:17;  16:14;  Acts  2:20. 

(18)  John  3 :17.  For  God  sent  unto   you   the   whole    armour   of 
uot   the    Son    into   the   world   to  God,    that    ye    may    be    able    to 
judge    the   world ;    but   that   the  withstand    In  the   evil   day,   and 
world   should   be   saved   through  having  done  all,  to  stand, 
him.  Heb.    3 :8.      Harden    not  your 

18.  He  that  believeth  on  him  hearts,  as  in  the  provocation,  in 

Is  not  judged:  he  that  believeth  the    A*7    ot    temptation    in    the 

not    hath    been    judged    already,  wilderness, 

because  he  hath  not  believed  on  .    <20>    2  Thes    1:6.     Seeing  « 

£i  nfTd°f   ^    °Dly   beg°tten  °   arerCiogmtpSe°nUsSe  TiouSn  «Z 

SonofGod-  them  that  trouble  you; 

(19)  2    Cor.    6:2.       (For    he  7.    And  to  you  who  are  trou- 
saith,    I    have   heard   thee    in    a  bled  rest  with  us,  when  the  Lord 
time   accepted,    and    in    the   day  Jesus    shall    be    revealed    from 
of    salvation    have    I    succoured  heaven  with  his  mighty  angels, 
thee :    behold,    now    is    the    ac-  8-    In  flaming  fire  taking  ven- 
cepted  time ;  behold,  now  is  the  seance  on   them   that  know  not 

day  of  salvation.)  Go,d-  and  th»t  °bey  D0t  £e  *?*- 

pel   of  our  Lord   Jesus   Christ: 
Eph.    6 :13.      Wherefore    take  9.  who  shall  be  punished  with 


THE    JUDGMENTS. 


103 


tween  which  lies  a  long  season  of  the  "sure  mercies  of 
David,"22  or  the  Millennium.23  In  it  there  will  be  four 
visible  judgments,  in  the  following  order: 

Four  Judgments. 

I.  The  Judgment  of  the  Saints  for  their  works.24 
This  is  not  on  earth.  Compare  1  Thes.  4:13-18,  with  2 

Thes.  1:6-10;  Rev.  19 :11-16.  See  (20)  (32)  and  (33). 
These  glorified  Saints  receive  their  judgment  undeniably 

before  that   of  the    ungodly.     See   Mat.   25:14-30.     The 


everlasting  destruction  from  the 
presence  of  the  Lord,  and  from 
the  glory  of  his  power ; 

10.  When  he  shall  come  to  be 
Glorified  in  his  saints,  and  to  be 
admired  in  all  them  that  believe 
(because  our  testimony  among 
you  was  believed)  in  that  day. 

Also  Rev.  19:11-21. 

(21)  Rev.    20:10.      And     the 
devil    that    deceived    them    was 
cast    into   the   lake   of    fire    and 
brimstone,   where  the  beast   and 
the  false  prophet  are,  and  shall 
be  tormented  day  and  night  for 
ever  and  ever. 

15.  And  whosoever  was  not 
found  written  in  the  book  of  life 
was  cast  into  the  lake  of  fire. 

(22)  Isa.   55 :3.     Incline  your 
ear,    and   come    unto   me:    hear,, 
and  your  soul  shall  live ;  and  I 
will    make   an   everlasting   cove- 
nant   with    you,    even    the    sure 
mercies  of  David. 

Acts  13  :34.  And  as  concern- 
ing that  he  raised  him  up  from 
the  dead,  now  no  more  to  re- 
turn to  corruption,  he  said  on 
this  wise,  I  will  give  you  the 
sure  mercies  of  David. 

(23)  Rev.  20:4.     And  I  saw 
thrones',  and  they  sat  upon  them, 
and    judgment    was    given    unto 
them :    and   I   saw   the   souls   of 
t.hem  that  were  beheaded  for  the 
witness    of    Jesus,    and    for    the 
word    of    God,    and    which    had 
not  worshipped  the  beast,  neither 
his   image,  neither  had   received 
his  mark  upon   their   foreheads. 


or  in  their  bands :  and  they 
lived  and  reigned  with  Christ  a 
thousand  years. 

5.  But   the   rest  of  the   dead 
lived  not  again   until  the  thou- 
sand years  were  finished.     This 
is  the  first  resurrection*. 

6.  Blessed  and  holy  is  he  that 
hath  part  in  the  first  resurrec- 
tion :  on  such  the  second  death 
hath   no    power,    but   they   shall 
be  priests  of  God  and  of  Christ, 
and  shall  reign  with  him  a  thou- 
sand years. 

(24)  1  Cor.  4 :5.  Therefore 
judge  nothing  before  the  time, 
until  the  Lord  come,  who  both 
will  bring  to  light  the  hidden 
things  of  darkness,  and  will 
make  manifest  the  counsels  of 
the  hearts :  and  then  shall  every 
man  have  praise  of  God. 

1  Cor.    3 :13.      Every    man's 
work    shall    be    made    manifest: 
for  the  day  shall  declare  it,  be- 
cause   it    shall    be    revealed    by 
fire ;  and  the  fire  shall  try  every 
man's  work  of  what  sort  it  is. 

14.  If  any  man's  work   abide 
which   he   hath   built  thereupon, 
he  shall  receive  a  reward. 

15.  If   any   man's   work    shall 
be  burned,  he  shall  suffer  loss : 
but  he  himself  shall  be  saved; 
yet  so  as  by  fire. 

2  Cor.  5  :10.     For  we  must  all 
appear  before  the  judgment  seat 
of   Christ ;   that   every   one   may 
receive   the    things    done   in    Jiis 
body,   according  to  that  he  hath 
done,  whether  it  6e  good  or  bad. 

Also  Rom.   14:10-12. 


104  JESUS  IS  COMING. 

judgment  of  the  servants  occurs  before  the  judgment  of 
the  nations.  Mat.  25:31-46.  See  also  1  Pet.  4:17-18.25 

II.  The  Judgment  of  the  living  nations,  who  are  upon 
the  earth  at  the  Revelation.  Jesus  is  Judge  of  the  quick 
(or  living)  and  dead.26 

The  Church  or  Saints,  having  been  before  caught  up  in 
the  Rapture,  come  with  Christ  to  execute  judgment27  upon 
the  world  or  living  nations.28  This  is  the  judgment  of  the 
quick,  or  those  who  are  living  upon  the  earth,  when  Christ 
comes  at  the  Revelation.  He  separates  the  sheep  from  the 
goats,  gathering  out  all  things  that  doth  offend  (Mat.  13: 
41-42),  and  sets  up  His  kingdom  (verse  43).  The  third 
party,  His  brethren,  are  the  Israelites,29  who  are  never  to 
be  reckoned  among  the  nations.30 

Then  follows  the  Millennium,  which  is  one  continuous 
day  of  Judgment  (Acts  17:31),  when  the  righteous  Judge 
will  be  upon  earth  (2  Tim.  4:8),  and  when  judgment  shall 


(25)  1    Pet.    4:17.      For    the 
time  is  come  that  judgment  must 
begin  at  the  house  of  God :   and 
if  it  first  begin  at  us,  what  shall 
the    end    \>e    of    them   that    obey 
hot  the  gospel  of  God? 

(26)  Acts     10:42.       And     he 
commanded    us    to    preach    unto 
the  people,  and  to  testify  that  it 
is  he  which  was  ordained  of  God 
to    te   the    Judge   of   quick    and 
dead. 

Also  2  Tim.  4 :1 ;  1  Pet.  4:5. 

(27)  1   Cor.    6:2.      Do  ye  not 
know  that  the  saints  shall  judge 
the  world?  and  if  the  world  shall 
be    judged    by   you,    are   ye    un- 
worthy   to    judge    the    smallest 
matters  ? 

Alsb  Jude  14-15. 

(28)  Mat.   13:40.     As    there- 
fore the  tares  are  gathered  and 
burned    in    the   fire ;    so   shall    it 
be  in  the  end  of  this  world. 

41.  The  Son  of  man  shall  send 
forth  his  angels,  and  they  shall 
gather  out  of  his  kingdom  all 
things  that  offend,  and  them 
Which  do  iniquity ; 


42.  And   shall   cast   them   into 
a  furnace  of  fire :  there  shall  be 
wailing  and  gnashing  of  teeth. 

43.  Then    shall    the    righteous 
shine    forth    as    the    sun    in    the 
kingdom   of  their   Father.      Who 
hath  ears  to  hear,  let  him  hear. 

(29)  Psa.     122 :8.       For    my 
brethren  and  companions'   sakes, 
I  will  now  say,  Peace  lie  within 
thee. 

(30)  Num.  23  :7.  And  he  took 
up    his  parable   and   said,    Balak 
the  king   of   Moab   hath   brought 
me  from  Aram,  out  of  the  moun- 
tains of  the  east,   saying,  Come, 
curse  me  Jacob,  and  come,   defy 
Israel. 

8.  How    shall    I    curse,    whom 
God    hath    not    cursed?    or    how 
shall  I  defy,  whom  the  Lord  hath 
not  defied? 

9.  For    from    the    top    of   the 
rocks  I   see  him,    and  from   the 
hills  I  behold  him :   lo,  the  peo- 
ple  shall  dwell   alone,   and   shall 
not  be   reckoned   among  the   na- 
tions. 


THE   JUDGMENTS. 


105 


be  laid  to  the  line  and  righteousness  to  the  plummet.  Isa. 
28:17. 

in.  The  judgment  of  the  dead  at  the  Great  White 
Throne.81 

IV.     The  Judgment  of  angels,34  into  fire  "prepared  for 


(31)  Rev.  20:12.  And  I  saw 
the  dead,  small  and  great,  staad 
before  God :  and  the  books  were 
opened ;  and  another  book  was 
opened,  which  is  the  book  of  life : 
and  the  dead  were  judged  out 
of  those  things  which  were  writ- 
ten in  the  books,  according  to 
their  works. 

13.  And   the  sea   gave   up   the 
dead  which  were  in  it ;  and  death 
and    hell    delivered    up    the    dead 
•which   were    in    them :    and   they 
were   judged   every   man   accord- 
ing to  their   works. 

14.  And    death   and   hell   were 
cast  into  the  lake  of  fire.     This 
is  the  second  death. 

15.  And    whosoever    was    not 
found  written  in  the  book  of  life 
was  cast  into  the  lake  of  fire. 

2  Pet.  2  :9.  The  Lord  know- 
etb  how  to  deliver  the  godly  out 
of  temptation,  and  to  reserve  the 
unjust  unto  the  day  of  judg- 
ment to  be  punished. 

Also  Mat.  10:15;  11:21-24; 
12:41-42;  Rom.  2:15-16. 

(32)  1  Thes.  4:15.     For  this 
we  say  unto  you  by  the  word  of 
the    Lord,    that    we    which    are 
alive  and  remain  unto  the  com- 
ing  of   the   Lord   shall   not   pre- 
vent them.'  which  are  asleep. 

16.  For  the  Lord  himself  shall 
descend     from     heaven     with     a 
shout,     with    the    voice    of    the 
archangel,    and   with    the    trump 
of  God :   and  the  dead  in  Christ 
shall   rise   first: 

17.  Then   we  which   are   alive 
and  remain   shall   be   caught   up 
together  with  them  in  the  clouds, 
to    meet    the    Lord    in    the    air : 
and  so  shall  we  ever  be  with  the 
Lord. 

18.  Wherefore  comfort  one  an- 
other with  these  words. 

(33)  Rev.   19:11.     And  I  saw 
heaven    opened,     and    behold     a 


white  horse ;  and  he  that  sat  upon 
him  was  called  Faithful  and 
True,  and  in  righteousness  he 
doth  judge  and  make  war. 

12.  His  eyes  were  as  a  flame 
of   fire,    and    on   his    head   were 
many    crowns ;     and    he    had    a 
name  written,  that  no  man  knew, 
but  he  himself. 

13.  And   he   was    clothed   with 
a   vesture  dipped   in   blood :    and 
his  name  is  called  The  "Word  of 
God. 

14.  And  the  armies'  which  were 
in    heaven     followed     him    upon 
white     horses,     clothed     in     fine 
linen,  white  and  clean. 

15.  And  out  of  his  mouth  go- 
eth   a  sharp  sword,  that  with  it 
he  should  smite  the  nations ;  and 
he   shall    rule    them   with    a   rod 
of    iron :    and    he    treadeth    the 
winepress   of    the   fierceness    and 
wrath  of   Almighty   God. 

16.  And   he   hath   on    his   ves- 
ture   and    on    his   thigh    a   name 
written,  KING  OF  KINGS,  AND 
LORD  OF  LORDS. 

19.  And  I   saw  the  beast,  and 
the  kings  of  the  earth,  and  their 
armies,      gathered     together      to 
make  war  against  him  that  sat 
on    the    horse,    and    against    his 
army. 

20.  And  the  beast  was  taken, 
and  with  him  the  false   prophet 
that     wrought     miracles     before 
him,     with    which     he    deceived 
them  that  had  received  the  mark 
of  the  beast,  and  them  that  wor- 
shipped  his    image.      These   both 
were    cast    alive    into    a    lake   of 
fire  burning  with  brimstone. 

(34)  2  Pet.  2:4.  For  if  God 
spared  not  the  angels  that 
sinned,  but  cast  them  down  to 
bell,  and  delivered  them  into 
chains'  of  darkness,  to  be  re- 
served unto  judgment. 


106 


JESUS  18  COMING. 


the  devil  and  his  angels."  The  ungodly  go  there  first. 
Compare  Rev.  19:20  with  Rev.  20:7-10;  2  Pet.  2:4;  Jude 
6.3B 

Such  events,  requiring  intervals  of  time,  preclude  the 
idea  expressed  in  the  term,  "general  judgment." 

The  "Day  of  the  Lord"  has  two  aspects,  to-wit:  Judg- 
ment on  God's  enemies,  and  deliverance  and  blessing  on 
God's  people.36 

So  we  have  the  Judgment: 

Of  believers,  as  to  their  character,  on  the  cross. 
Of  believers,  as  to  their  works,  at  the  Judgment  seat  of 
Christ. 

Of  the  living  nations  at  the  Revelation. 

Of  the  ungodly  at  the  Great  White  Throne. 


Jude  6.  And  the  angels 
which  kept  not  their  first  estate, 
but  left  their  own  habitation,  he 
hath  reserved  in  everlasting 
chains  under  darkness  unto  the 
judgment  of  the  great  day. 

Also  1   Cor.  6:3;   Rev.  20:10. 

(35)  Rev.  19:20.  And  the 
beast  was  taken,  and  with  him 
the  false  prophet  that  wrought 
miracles  before  him,  with  which 
he  deceived  them  that  had  re- 
ceived the  mark  of  the  beast,  and 
them  that  worshipped  his  image. 
These  both  were  cast  alive  into 
a  lake  of  fire  burning  with  brim- 
stone. 

Rev.  20 :7.  And  when  the 
thousand  years  are  expired, 
Satan  shall  be  loosed  out  of  his 
prison, 

8.  And  shall  go  out  to  deceive 
the  nations  which  are  in  the  four 
quarters   of  the   earth,   Gog  and 
Magog,    to   gather  them   together 
to  battle :  the  number  of  whom  is 
as  the  sand  of  the  sea. 

9.  And   they    went   up   on    the 
breadth  of  the  earth,   and  com- 
passed   the    camp    of    the    saints 
about,  and  the  beloved  city :   and 
fire    came    down    from    God    out 
cf   heaven,    and   devoured    them. 


10.  And  the  devil  that  de- 
ceived them  was  cast  into  tha 
lake  of  fire  and  brimstone,  where 
the  beast  and  the  false  prophet 
are,  and  shall  be  tormented  day 
and  night  for  ever  and  ever. 

And  2  Pet  2:4;  Jude  6. 

(36)  Isa.  2:2.  And  it  shall 
come  to  pass  in  the  last  days, 
that  the  mountain  of  the  Lord's 
house  shall  be  established  in  the 
top  of  the  mountains,  and  shall 
be  exalted  above  the  hills ;  and 
all  nations  shall  flow  unto  it 

3.  And  many  people  shall  go 
and  say,  Come  ye,  and  let  us  go 
up  to  the  mountain  of  the  Lord, 
to  the  house  of  the  God  of  Jacob; 
and  he  will  teach  us  of  his  ways, 
and  we  will  walk  in  his  paths : 
for  out  of  Zion  shall  go  forth 
the  law,  and  the  word  of  the 
Lord  from  Jerusalem. 

17.  And  the  loftiness  of  man 
shall  be  bowed  down,  and  the 
haughtiness  of  men  shall  be 
made  low:  and  the  Lord  alone 
shall  be  exalted  in  that  day. 

Also  Isa.  4:1-6;  Joel  2:21- 
27,  31;  3:12-17;  Dan.  7:9- 
14  ;  Zech.  14  :1-21 ;  Zepb.  3  :8-9  ; 
Mai.  4:1-3. 


CHAPTER  XII, 
Antichrist. 

This  name  introduces  to  us  one  of  the  most  solemn  and 
foreboding  subjects  in  the  Word  of  God.  An  antichrist — 
one  absolutely  opposed  to  Jesus  Christ— we  are  told,  shall 
come.1  The  spirit  of  antichrist  is  already  in  the  world,  de- 
nying the  coming  of  Jesus  Christ  in  the  flesh,  either  in  the 
past2  or  in  the  future.8 

This  spirit  of  antichrist,  now  possessed  by  many,  will 
culminate  in  one  person,  the  Antichrist,  who  will  deny  both 
the  Father  and  the  Son.4 

That  he  is  a  single  individual  is  plainly  taught  in  2 
Thes.  2,  where  he  is  called  "that  man  of  sin"  .  .  .  "the 
son  of  perdition" — "that  wicked,"  or  properly,  "the  law- 
less one." 

As  Christ  is  the  express  image  of  God,5  so  it  appears 
that  antichrist  is  the  culminating  manifestation  of  Satan, 
"the  prince  of  this  world."6  His  coming  is  "after  the 
working  (energy,  or  inward  working)  of  Satan,  with  all 
power  and  signs  and  lying  wonders  and  deceivableness  of 
unrighteousness." 

(1)  1  John  2  :18.     Little  chil-       This  is  a  deceiver  and  an  anti- 
dren,  it  is  the  last  time :  and  as       Christ. 

ye    have    heard    that    antichrist  (4)   1  John  2:22.     Who  is  a 

shall  come,  even  now  are  there  liar  but  he  that  denieth  that  Je- 
many  antichrists;  whereby  we  sus  is  the  Christ?  He  is  anti- 
know  that  it  is  the  last  time.  Christ,  that  denieth  the  Father 

and  the  Son. 

(2)  1    John   4:3.     And  every  /*••,   TT,^   -,  .o      TITV.^  K««— *i.- 

rs&i 

is  not  of  God:  and  this  is  that  upholdlng  all  tnings  b     the  word 

spirit   of   antichrist,    "hereof   ye  of   hls  ^   £e   had   b 

have  heard  that  it  should  come;  hlmself  d    QUr      ,  * 

and  even  now   already  is   it  in  down  on   the  rjght  hand  O'f  the 

the  world.  Majesty  on  high. 

(3)  2    John    7.      For    many  (6)  John  14 :30.     Hereafter  I 
deceivers    are    entered    into    the  will    not   talk    much    with    you: 
world,  who  confess  not  that  Je-  for  the  prince  of  this  world  com- 
SUB  Christ  is  come  in  the  flesh.  eth,  and  hath  nothing  In  me. 

(107) 


108 


JESUS  IS  COMING. 


He  will  be  a  "strong  (or  inward  working)  delusion," 
to  them  who  believe  not  the  truth.7 

This  mystery  of  Lawlessness  (so  the  Greek)  already 
worked  in  the  days  of  the  apostle,  but  there  has  been  a 
hindering  power,  which,  we  believe,  is  the  Holy  Spirit, 
in  His  present  manifestation,  or  office,  viz.:  as  the  re- 
prover of  the  world  and  gatherer  of  the  Church.  When 
He,  the  restraining  one,  is  taken  out  of  the  way  (or  out 
of  the  midst),  at  the  rapture  of  the  Church,  then  shall  the 
mystery  be  unveiled,  and  the  Lawless  one  be  revealed. 
(Verses  7  and  8). 

He  will  be  received,  even  by  the  Jews,8  who,  having  re- 
turned to  their  own  land  and  rebuilt  their  temple,  will 
make  a  treaty  with  him,  called  by  the  prophet  "a  covenant 
with  death  and  an  agreement  with  hell."9  And  antichrist 


(7)  2  Thes.  2  :3.  Let  no  man 
deceive  you  by  any  means :  for 
that  day  shall  not  come,  except 
there  come  a  falling  away  first, 
and  that  man  of  sin  be  revealed, 
the  son  of  perdition ; 

4.  Who  opposeth  and  exaltcth 
himself  above  all  that  is  called 
God,  or  that  is  worshipped ;  so 
that  he  as  God  sitteth  in  the 
temple  of  God,  shewing  himself 
that  he  is  God. 

6.  And    now    ye    know    what 
withholdeth  that  he  might  be  re- 
vealed in  his  time. 

7.  For  the  mystery  of  iniquity 
doth  already  work :  only  he  who 
now  letteth  will  let,  until  he  be 
taken  out  of  the  way. 

8.  And  then  shall  be  revealed 
the  lawless  one,  whom  the  Lord 
Jesus  shall  slay  with  the  breath 
of     his     mouth,     and     bring     to 
bought   by   the   manifestation   of 
his  coming ; 

9.  Even  him,  whose  coming  is 
after  the  working  of  Satan  with 
all    power    and    signs    and    lying 
wonders. 

10.  And    with    all    deceivable- 
ness  of  unrighteousness  in  them 
that    perish ;    because    they    re- 
ceived not  the  love  of  the  truth, 
that  they  might  be  saved. 


11.  And    for    this'    cause    God 
shall  send  them  strong  delusion, 
that  they  should  believe  'a  lie : 

12.  That    they    all    might    be 
damned    who    believed    not    the 
truth,   but   had   pleasure   in   un- 
righteousness. 

(8)  John  5  :43.    I  am  come  la 
my   Father's   name,    and   ye   re- 
ceive  me   not :    if   another  shall 
come  in   his  own  name,   him  ye 
will  receive. 

(9)  Isa.     28 :14.       Wherefore 
hear   the   word    of   the   Lord,   ye 
scornful  men,  that  rule  this  peo- 
ple which  is  in  Jerusalem. 

15.  Because  ye  have  said,  We 
have     made     a     covenant     with 
death,    and  with  hell   are  we   at 
agreement ;    when    the    overflow- 
ing  scourge   shall    pass   through, 
it   shall   not   come   unto    us :    for 
we    have   made    lies    our   refuge, 
and  under  falsehood  have  we  hid 
ourselves. 

16.  Therefore    thus    saith    the 
Lord  God,  Behold,  I  lay  in  Zion 
for  a  foundation  a  stone,  a  tried 
stone,  a  precious  corner  stone,  a 
sure  foundation  :  he  that  believ- 
eth  Khali  not  make  haste. 

17.  Judgment   also   will    I   lay 
to  the  line,  and  righteousness  to 
the  plummet :  and  the  hail  shall 


ANTICHRIST. 


109 


will  exalt  himself  above  all  that  is  called  God,  or  that  is 
worshipped,  so  that  he  as  God  sitteth  in  the  temple  of  God 
(the  rebuilt  temple  at  Jerusalem)  and  sheweth  himself 
that  he  is  God.  2  Thes.  2 :4.  Doubtless  he  is  the  king  de- 
scribed in  Dan.  11:36,  etc.,10  who  shall  do  according  to  his 
own  will  and  magnify  himself  above  every  god.  Again, 
he  is  seen  as  the  beast  described  in  Rev.  ISill-lS11  whose 
number  is  the  number  of  a  man,  666,  and  who  performs 
"great  wonders  and  deceiveth  them  that  dwell  upon  the 
earth,"  by  means  of  his  miracles,  and  has  the  power  to 
kill  those  who  will  not  worship  the  image  of  the  beast. 
And  again  he  is  seen  in  Lucifer,  or  the  day  star,  of  Isa. 
14,12  of  whom  the  king  of  Babylon  was  a  type,  and  who 


sweep  away  the  refuge  of  lies, 
and  the  waters  shall  overflow  the 
biding  place. 

18.  And  your  covenant  with 
death  shall  be  disannulled,  and 
your  agreement  with  hell  shall 
not  stand ;  when  the  overflowing 
scourge  shall  pas's  through,  then 
ye  shall  be  trodden  down  by  it. 

(10)  Dan.    11:36.      And    the 
king   shall    do    according   to   his 
will ;  and  he  shall  exalt  himself, 
and  magnify  himself  above  every 
god,   and  shall   speak  marvellous 
things   against  the   God  of  gods, 
and  shall  prosper  till  the  indig- 
nation be  accomplished :  for  that 
that  is  determined  shall  be  done. 

(11)  Rev.   13:11.    And   I  be- 
held   another    beast    coming    up 
out   of  the   earth ;    and   he    had 
two  horns  like  a  lamb,   and  -he 
spake  as  a  dragon. 

12.  And  he  exerciseth  <all  the 
power   of  the    first   beast   before 
him,   and  causeth  the  earth  and 
them     which     dwell     therein     to 
worship    the    first    beast,    whose 
deadly  wound  was  healed. 

13.  And   he   doeth   great  won- 
ders,   so    that    he    maketh    fire 
«ome  down  from  heaven   on  the 
earth  in  the  sight  of  men, 

14.  And  deceiveth  them  that 
dwell  on  the  earth  by  the  means 
of  those  miracles  which  he  had 
nower  to  do  in  the  sight  of  the 
beast ;  saying  to  them  that  dwell 
on    the    earth,   that   they   should 


make  an  image  to  the  beast, 
which  had  the  wound  by  a 
sword,  and  did  live. 

15.  And  he  had  power  to  give 
life  unto  the  image  of  the  beast, 
that    the    image    of    the    beast 
'should    both    speak,    and    cause 
that  as  many  as  would  not  wor- 
ship    the     image     of    the    beast 
should  be  killed. 

16.  And  he  causeth  all,  both 
small  and  great,   rich  and  poor, 
free  and  bond,  to  receive  a  mark 
in  their  right  hand,  or  in  their 
foreheads : 

17.  And  that   no  man  might 
buy    or    sell,    save    he    that    had 
the    mark,    or    the    name    of    the 
beast,     or    the    number    of    his 
name. 

18.  Here  is  wisdom.    Let  him 
that    hath    understanding    count 
the  number  of  the  beast :   for  it 
is    the   number    of   a   man ;    and 
his1  number  is  Six  hundred  three- 
score and  six. 

(12)  Isa.  14:12.  How  art 
thou  fallen  from  heaven,  O  Luci- 
fer, son  of  the  morning !  how  art 
thou  cut  down  to  the  ground, 
which  didst  weaken  the  nations ! 

13.  For     thou     hast     said    In 
thine   heart,    I   will   ascend   into 
heaven,   I   will  exalt  my  throne 
above  the  stars  of  God:   J   will 
sit  also  upon  the  mount  of  the 
congregation,  In  the  sides  of  the 
north : 

14.  I    will    ascend    above   the 


110  JE8U8  18 

weakens  the  nations,  exalts  his  "throne  above  the  stars  of 
God,"  and  sits  "upon  the  mount  of  the  congregation." 

Such,  in  brief,  is  the  awful  picture  which  Scripture  gives 
us  of  this  great  opponent  of  Christ.  Many  think  that  he 
has  already  been  manifested  in  Antiochus  Epiphanes — or 
the  Popes  of  Rome — or  Mohammed  and  his  successors,  all 
of  which  we  regard  as  erroneous.  The  Popes  have  received 
their  exaltation  and  power,  as  the  pretended  vicars  of 
Christ,  and  not  as  His  opponent.  It  is  a  great  mistake, 
therefore,  to  call  them  the  antichrist,  or  the  opposing  one. 
Antiochus  was  doubtless  a  type  of  antichrist.  And  in  his 
opposition  to  the  worship  of  Jehovah,  his  sacrifice  of  the 
hated  swine  in  the  temple  and  his  merciless  treatment  of 
the  Jews,  he  has  given  us  a  miniature  picture  of  what  the 
final  antichrist  will  do.  But  he  passed  away  long  before 
Paul  and  John  wrote  of  the  antichrist  to  come.  Likewise 
Mohammed  may  be  in  some  sense  a  type,  but  that  is  all. 

No,  antichrist  is  still  in  the  future,  and  he  will  not  be 
manifested  until  the  true  Church  has  been  taken  away,  at 
the  rapture,  as  described  in  1  Thes.  4.13  For  Paul  says,14 
"We  beseech  you,  brethren,  by  the  coming  of  our  Lord 
Jesus  Christ,  and  our  gathering  together  unto  Him,"— 
that  is,  by  this  very  fact  of  the  rapture,  of  which  he  had 
previously  written  them,13  and  which  must  first  occur  be- 

heights  of  the  clouds ;  I  will  be      to  meet  the  Lord  in  the  air ;  and 
like  the  Most  High.  so    shall    we   ever    be   with    the 

15.  Yet  thou  shalt  be  brought      Lord. 

down  to  hell,  to  the  sides  of  the  18.  Wherefore  comfort  one  an- 

pit.  other  with  these  words. 

16.  They   that   see   thee   shall  (14)  2    Thes.    2:1.      Now   we 
narrowly    look    upon    thee,    and  beseech    you,    brethren,    by    the 
consider  thee,  saying,  Is  this  the  coming  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ, 
man    that    made    the    earth    to  and    by   our    gathering   together 
tremble,    that    did    shake    king-  unto  him, 

doms.  2.  That  we  be  not  soon  shaken 

(13)   1   Thes.   4:16.     For  the  In  mind,  or  be  troubled,  neither 

Lord  himself  shall  descend  from  by  spirit,   nor  by  word,   nor  by 

heaven    with   a    shout,   with   the  letter   as   from   us,   as   that   the 

voice  of  the  archangel,  and  with  day  of  Christ  is  at  hand, 
the  trump  of  God :  and  the  dead          7.  For    the    mystery    of    law- 

In  Christ  shall  rise  first :  tessness  doth  already  work :  only 

17.  Then  we   which   are  alive  there  is  one  that  restraineth  now, 
and  remain   shall  be  caught  up  until    he    be    taken    out    of    the 
together  with  them  in  the  clouds,  way. 


ANTICHRIST. 


Ill 


fore  the  apostasy  should  come  to  the  full,  and  the  man  of 
sin  be  revealed.  This  is  confirmed  by  verse  7.  The  Holy 
Spirit,  who,  while  he  is  gathering  the  Bride,15  reproves  the 
world  of  sin,  righteousness  and  judgment,16  will,  when  he 
is  taken  out  of  the  way,  catch  up  the  Bride  to  meet  the 
Lord  in  the  air,  leaving  the  apostate  church,  adulterous 
Israel  and  the  ungodly  world,  to  believe  a  lie,17  and  then 
shall  the  lawless  one  be  revealed.  Praise  God,  that  the 
Church  is  to  be  kept  from  this  awful  hour  of  temptation.18 
She  shall  be  with  her  Lor'd,19  while  the  world  is  ruled  by 
antichrist. 

But,  though  antichrist  shall  so  greatly  exalt  himself  and 
rule  over  the  world  with  such  power,  yet  "shall  he  come 
to  his  end,  and  none  shall  help  him."20  The  Lord  shall 
destroy  him  "with  the  brightness  of  His  coming,"  literally 
"will  paralyze  (him)  with  the  forthshining  of  His  ar- 
rival "21  (See  Rotherham's  translation),  when  He  shall 


(15)  1  Cor.  12:12.  For  as  the 
body    is    one,    and    bath    many 
members,    and    all    the   members* 
of   that   one   body,    being    many, 
are  one  body:  so  also  is  Christ. 

13.  For  by  one  Spirit  are  we 
all  baptized  into  one  body, 
whether  we  "be  Jews  or  Gentiles, 
whether  we  "be  bond  or  free ; 
and  have  been  all  made  to  drink 
Into  one  Spirit. 

Eph.  4 :30.  And  grieve  not 
the  Holy  Spirit  of  God,  whereby 
ye  are  sealed  unto  the  day  of 
redemption. 

(16)  John    16 :8.      And   when 
he  Is  come,  he  will  reprove  the 
world  of  sin,   and  of  righteous- 
ness,  and  of  judgment. 

(17)  2   Thes.   2 :11.     And  for 
this   cause  God   shall   send  them 
strong  delusion,  that  they  should 
believe  a  lie. 

(18)  Luke  21:36.     Watch  ye 
therefore,  and  pray  always,  that 
yo  may  be  accounted  worthy  to 
escape  all  these  things  that  shall 
come  to  pass,  and  to  stand  before 
the  Son  of  man. 

Rev.  3  :10.  Because  thou  hast 
kept  the  word  of  my  patience,  I 


also  will  keep  thee  from  the 
hour  of  temptation,  which  shall 
come  upon  all  the  world,  to  try 
them  that  dwell  upon  the  earth. 

(19)  1   Thes.    4:17.    Then   we 
which     are     alive     and     remain 
shall  be  caught  up  together  with 
them  in  the  clouds,  to  meet  the 
Lord    in    the    air ;    and    so    shall 
we  ever  be  with  the  Lord. 

18.  Wherefore  comfort  one  an- 
other with  these  words. 

1  Thes.  5:9.  For  God  hath 
not  appointed  us  to  wrath,  but 
to  obtain  salvation  by  our  Lord 
Jesus  Christ, 

10.  Who  died  for  us,  that, 
whether  we  wafce  or  sleep,  we 
should  live  together  with  him. 

(20)  Dan.     11:45.       And     he 
shall    plant    the    tabernacles    of 
his   palace  between   the   s«as   In 
the  glorious  holy  mountain ;  yet 
he    shall   come  to   his   end,   and 
none  shall  help  him. 

(21)  2  Thes.   2:8.     And  then 
shall    be    revealed    the    lawless 
one,  whom  the  Lord  Jesus  shall 
slay    with    the    breath     of    his 
mouth,  'and  bring  to  nought  by 
the  manifestation  of  his  coming. 


112  JESUS  IS  COMING. 

come,  with  His  saints,  to  execute  judgment  upon  the  un« 
godly.22  Yes,  he  shall  "be  brought  down  to  hell  (sheol), 
to  the  sides  of  the  pit."  They  that  see  him  shall  narrowly 
look  upon  him  and  consider  him,  saying,  "is  this  THE  MAN 
that  made  the  earth  to  tremble,  that  did  shake  kingdoms; 
that  made  the  world  as  a  wilderness  and  destroyed  the 
cities  thereof?"  Isa.  14:15-17. 

We  would  call  special  attention  to  the  fact  that  antichrist 
denies  the  Father  and  the  Son,23  and  that  the  Greek  words 
in  2  Thes.  2:7-8  should  be  rendered  "the  mystery  of  law- 
lessness"—"the  lawless  one."  This,  we  think,  gives  an 
alarming  significance  to  the  atheistic  and  lawless  trio  of 
socialism,  nihilism  and  anarchy,  so  rapidly  spreading  in 
our  day,  and  which  seeks  to  wipe  out  all  law  relating  to 
marriage,  property,  etc. 

It  may  be  that  these  are  the  immediate  precursors  of 
antichrist.  At  any  rate,  he  is  surely  coming,  and  sad  in- 
deed is  the  thought  of  a  godless  world,  rushing  on  to  such 
a  culmination  of  evil.* 

*  For  a  more  extended  statement  of  this  subject  of  the 
antichrist;  the  rebuilding  of  Babylon,  as  Satan's  earthly 
capitol  and  the  headquarters  of  commercialism,  its  com- 
plete overthrow  and  destruction,  and  other  co-relative 
events,  see  the  author's  pamphlet,  "Satan,  his  kingdom  and 
its  overthrow."  P.  H.  Revell  Co.,  Chicago,  New  York,  etc. 

(22)   Jude   14.     And  to  these  godly   wrought,    and    of    all  the 

also    Enoch,    the    seventh    from  hard  things   which   ungodly  sin' 

Adam,    prophesied,    saying,    Be-  ners  have  spoken  against  him. 
hold,    the    Lord    came    with    ten  (23)    ±  John  2 .22      who  ,8  . 

thousand  of  his  holy  ones,  liar  but  he  that  denieth  that  Je_ 

15.  To  execute  judgment  upon  8US  lg  the   Cnrist?     He  ls   anti- 
all     and   to   convict    all    the   un-  christ     that    denieth   tne  Father 
godly  of   all   their  works   of  un-  aT1(1  tha  a-., 
godliness   which    they   have   un- 


CHAPTER  XIH. 
The  Principal  Event. 

We  believe  that  the  foregoing  outline  of  the  order  of 
events  will  commend  itself  to  every  careful  student  of  the 
Word.  However,  we  persistently  urge  but  ONE  POINT, 
and  that  is  the  PRE-MILLENNIAL  COMING  OF  CHRIST  AND 
RAPTURE  OF  THE  SAINTS.  This  we  believe  to  be  the  GREAT 
HOPE  for  the  church,  and  the  principal  event  for  which  be- 
lievers wait.1 

Much  has  been  revealed  in  regard  to  the  Tribulation,  the 
Kingdom,  etc.,  which  follow  the  Rapture;  but  it  is,  as  it 
were,  only  an  outline.  And,  dear  reader,  let  us  not  be 
discouraged  if  we  cannot  fully  understand  it. 

Do  not  forget  that  THE  KING  is  coming.  And  when  HE 
comes  it  will  be  time  to  make  known,  in  detail,  the  manner 
of  the  Kingdom.2 

Post-Millennial  Questionings. 

Post-millennialists  apparently  forget  this  altogether,  and 
because  they  cannot  fully  understand  those  things  in  re- 
gard to  the  Lord's  coming,  which  we  now  see  through  a 
glass  darkly,  they  reject  what  is  plainly  revealed. 

If,  even  in  the  present  dispensation,  we  cannot  explain 
the  doctrines  of  "Free  Will,"  and  "God's  Sovereignty,"  to 
our  mutual  understanding, — much  less  can  we  comprehend 
the  glory,  which  shall  be  revealed  in  us,  in  the  coming 

(1)  1    Thes.    1:9.      For    they  uel  said  to  all  the  people,  See  ye 
themselves  shew  of  us  what  man-  him  whom  the  Lord  hath  chosen, 
ner  of  entering  in  we  had  unto  that     there    is    none     like     him 
you,   and   how  ye  turned  to   God  among  all  the  people?     And   all 
from    idols    to    serve    the    living  the    people    shouted,     and    said, 
and  true  God ;  God  save  the  king. 

10.  And   to    wait    for   his    Son  25.  Then  Samuel  told  the  peo- 

from    heaven,    whom    he    raised  pie  the  manner  of  the  kingdom, 

from  the  dead,  even  Jesus,  which  and  wrote  it  in  a  book,  and  laid 

delivered   us   from   the   wrath   to  it    up    before    the     Lord.       And 

come.  Samuel  sent  all  the  people  away, 

(2)  1  Sam.  10  :2 1.     And  Sam-  every  man  to  his  house. 

113 


114  JESUS  IS  COMING. 

Kingdom.  Let  us  not  be  disturbed,  then,  by  the  questions 
which  they  ask;  such  as— 

How  will  men  be  saved  during  the  Millennium1! 

What  will  be  the  means  of  grace? 

What  may  take  the  place  of  the  preaching  of  the  gospel  1 
and  of  the  sacraments  of  the  Church? 

The  Jews  could  not  have  answered  similar  questions 
before  the  first  coming  of  Christ.  It  was  not  revealed  until 
He  came. 

Jesus  is  coming  AGAIN,  and  it  is  just  as  consistent  that 
we  shall  receive  an  addition  to  the  revealed  Word  of 
God  when  He  comes,  as  it  was  when  He  came  before. 

He  will  speak  again,  who  spake  as  never  man  spake,3 
even  the  dead  will  hear  His  voice,4  and  the  gracious  words 
which  shall  proceed  out  of  His  mouth5  will  be  a  continual 
revelation.6 

It  will  all  be  plain  when  Jesus  comes,  for  we  shall  be 
like  Him  and  see  Him  as  He  is,7  eye  to  eye,8  face  to  face.9 

Post-millennialists  seem  to  think  that  all  must  be  accom- 
plished under  the  Church,  and  with  present  instrumentali- 
ties. 

Pre-millennialists  look  for  the  mam  accomplishment 
under  Christ  Himself,  who  will  cut  short  the  work  in 
righteousness,10  and  with  different  instrumentalities.11 

(3)  John    7:46.      The  officers  now    are    we    the    sons    of    God, 
answered,  Never  man  spake  like  and  it  doth  not  yet  appear  what 
this  man.  we  shall  be :  but  we  know  that, 

(4)  John    5:28.      Marvel    not  when   he  shall   appear,   we   ahall 
at  this :  for  the  hour  is  coming,  be    like   him ;    for   we   shall   see 
in  the  which  all  that  are  in  the  him  as  he  is. 

graves   shall   hear   his   voice,  (8)   Isa     52  :g.       Thy    watch- 

(5)  Luke  4:22.     And  all  bare  men  shan  lift  up  tne  voice;  with 
him    witness,    and    wondered    at  the    vojce    together    shall     they 
the    gracious    words    which    pro-  slng.    for  they    shall   &.ee  eye   to 
ceeded   out   of  his  mouth.     And  eye>   wnen  the  Lord  shall  bring 
they   said,    Is   not   this   Joseph's  again  Zion. 

""(I)  Mat.    11:27.      All    things  (9)   1   Cor    13:12.     For  now 

are    delivered    unto    me    of    my  we  see  through  a  glass,  darkly: 

Father:  and  no  man  knoweth  the  but   then    face   *°    face:    now    I 

Son,     but    the    Father;     neither  know  in   Part:   but   then  sha11  * 

knoweth    any    man    the    Father,  know  even  as  also  *  am  Known, 

stive  the  Son,  and  he  to  whom-  (10)   Rom.  9:28.     For  he  will 

soever  the  Son  will  reveal  him.  finish  the  work,  and  cut  it  short 

(7)  1     John     3 :2.       Beloved,  in      righteousness :      because     a 


PREACH   THE  WORD.  115 

Post-millennialism  exalts  the  Church. 

Pre-millennialism  exalts  Jesus  and  fills  the  heart  of 
the  believer  with  a  LIVING,  PERSONAL,  COMING  Savior. 

Post-millennialists,  though  ACKNOWLEDGING  that  the 
Second  Advent  of  Christ  is  the  very  POLE  STAK  of  the 
Church,  have  little  heart  in  it,  and  are  disposed  to  say 
very  little  about  it.  This  is  natural  and  perfectly  con- 
sistent for  those  who  believe  the  event  is  at  least  a  thou- 
sand years  away. 

They  very  seldom  preach  or  talk  about  it. 

Preach  tie  Word. 

What  a  contrast  to  Paul,  who  charged  Timothy  to 
PREACH  THE  WORD  (2  Tim.  4:2);*  and  when  writing  to 
Titus,  of  the  blessed  hope  and  glorious  appearing  of  Jesus, 
he  said:  "THESE  THINGS  SPEAK."  Ch.  2:15. 

And  again,  when  writing  to  the  Thessalonians  of  the  de- 
scent of  the  Lord  and  the  rapture  of  the  church,  he  said: 
"WHEREFORE  COMFORT  (or  exhort)  ONE  ANOTHER  WITH 
THESE  WORDS/'  Ch.  4:18;  see  also  2  Tun.  3:16;  Heb.  10:25; 
2  Pet.  1:19.12 

We  ask  our  post-millennial  brethren,  Why  do  you  not 
give  the  Church  these  comforting  words, — this  "meat  in 

*  "I  bear  full  witness,  in  presence  of  °God  and  Christ 
Jesus  "who  is  about  to  be  judging  living  and  dead,  both  as 
to  His  °forthshining  and  His  kingdom  proclaim  the  Word." 
Rotherham's  N.  T.  from  the  Gr.  text  of  Tregelles. 

short  work  will  the  Lord  make  for  Instruction   in  righteousness, 

upon  the  earth.  TT  . 

(11)  Isa.     4:4.       When     the  .    «eb"     1°:.25-     ,Not    *<*«*** 
Lord    shall    have    washed    away  the    assembling   of   ourselves    to- 
the  filth  of  the  daughters  of  ZIon.  ?ethej\  as    the   manner   of    some 
and  shall  have  purged  the  blood  ts''    but    ex^tlng   one   another: 
of    Jerusalem     from     the     midst  and  so  much  the  more,  as  ye  see 
thereof    by    the    spirit    of    judg-  tte  day  aPP^hing. 

inent,  and  by  the  spirit  of  burn-  2  Pet.  1 :19.     We  have  also  a 

ing.  more    sure    word    of    prophecy ; 

Also  Zech.  14.  whereunto    ye    do    well    that    ye 

(12)  2  Tim.  3:16.     All  Scrip-  take  heed,  as  unto  a  light  that 
ture   ig   given   by   inspiration    of  shineth    in    a    dark    place,    until 
God,    and    ?'s    profitable    for    doc-  the   day   dawn,    and   the    daystat 
trine,  for  reproof,  for  correction,  arise  la  your  hearts. 


116  JESUS  IS  COMING. 

due  season?"     "Blessed  is  that  servant  whom  His  Lord 
when  He  cometh  shall  find  so  doing."    Lu.  12 :43. 

Ah!  brethren,  post-millennialism  is  hiding  this  STAR  OB 
HOPE  from  the  church,  and  incurring  thereby  a  responsi- 
bility that  God  alone  can  estimate.  The  Church  is  lan- 
guishing because  of  this  neglected  truth. 

Solemn  Warning. 

We  beg  of  you  to  heed  the  following  solemn  words  from 
Dr.  Hugh  McNeill:  "My  reverend  brethren,  watch,  preach 
the  coming  of  Jesus.  I  charge  you,  in  the  name  of  our 
common  Master,— PREACH  THE  COMING  OP  JESUS;  solemnly 
and  affectionately,  in  the  name  of  God,  I  charge  you, — 
PREACH  THE  COMING  OF  JESUS.  WATCH  ye,  therefore,  lest, 
coming  suddenly,  He  find  the  porter  sleeping." 

Pre-millennialism  has  a  vital  life  in  it,  and  gives  the  dis- 
ciple a  real  love  and  relish  for  the  Word  of  God,  which 
opens  up  to  him  like  a  new  book. 

Jlven  Dr.  Brown  recognizes  this,  and  he  says:  "Pre- 
millennialists  have  done  the  Church  a  real  service  by  call- 
ing attention  to  the  place  which  the  second  advent  holds  in 
the  Word  of  God  and  the  scheme  of  divine  truth."* 

Many  have  we  heard  say,  "Why,  the  Bible  is  another 
book  to  me  since  I  accepted  this  truth."  And  though  one 
is  almost  lost  in  the  unfolding  majesty  and  infinity  of 
God's  plans  revealed  therein,  yet  do  we  find  it  such  a  store- 
house of  truth  and  comfort,  that  continual  study  ever  gives 
us  richer  food. 

It  is  the  MOST  PRACTICAL  DOCTRINE  in  the  Christian  faith, 
for  "every  man  that  hath  this  hope  in  Him  (Christ)  puri- 
fieth  himself  even  as  He  (Christ)  is  pure."  1  John  3:3. 
And  do  we  not  want  PRACTICAL  HOLINESS? 

Again,  this  doctrine  when  received  into  the  heart  is  a 
mighty  power  to  separate  one  from  the  love  of  the  world. 
And  were  it  thoroughly  believed  and  preached  in  the 
Church,  she  would  readily  give  of  her  substance  so  liber- 
ally that  we  should  not  be  begging  for  money  to  sustain 
our  missions. 

*The  Second  Advent,  Page  13. 


AN  INSPIRING  DOCTEINE.  117 

It  was  this  doctrine  that  inspired  the  sainted  Bliss,  and 
gave  his  songs  such  favor.  How  all  of  us  love  to  sing 
"WHEN  JESUS  COMES,"  or  "HOLD  THE  FORT  FOB  I  AM 
COMING."  The  Church  and  the  people  want  this  truth, 
and  God  wants  them  to  have  it,  we  are  assured,  by  the 
manifest  interest  and  attention  with  which  He  blesses  its 
presentation. 


CHAPTER  XT7. 
SOME  OBJECTIONS  CONSIDERED. 

No.  I.    It  Discourages  Missions. 

It  is  objected  that  this  doctrine   discourages  missions. 

This  is  not  true.  The  missionary  spirit  among  the  evan- 
gelists of  to-day  is  a  sufficient  answer  to  this.  And  let  us 
name,  among  the  missionaries  who  held  this  faith,  Ben 
Ezra,  Joseph  Wolf,  James  McGregor  Bertram,  L.  D.  Mans- 
field, Gonsalves,  Dr.  Kelley  and  Hewitson. 

"This  was  the  hope  that  inspired  Heber,  the  great  mis- 
sionary bishop  of  the  English  Church,  who  gave  us  that 
glorious  missionary  hymn,  'From  Greenland's  Icy  Moun- 
tains/ and  who  spent  his  strength  and  rested  from  his  la- 
bors 'on  India's  coral  strand!' 

"This  was  the  hope  that  energized  Gutzlaff,  the  opener  of 
China,  and  Bettleheim,  the  opener  of  Japan;  that  inspired 
the  noble  Duff,  who,  under  its  influence,  woke  moderate 
Scotland  from  its  lethargy,  and  was  the  pioneer  of  his  in- 
domitable race  in  India.  This  was  the  hope  that  inspired 
and  cheered  and  ever  joyed  McCheyne  and  our  own  Poor, 
and  Lowrie,  and  Rankin,  and  Lowenthal,  and  a  host  of 
others." 

Mr.  Lord  affirms  that  among  missionaries  of  all  denomi- 
nations, there  is  as  great  proportion  of  pre-millennialists, 
as  there  is  among  the  ministry  at  home.  They  earnestly 
labor,  as  did  the  apostle,  to  save  some  from  the  wrath  to 
come.1 

(1)    Rom.    11 :14.      If   by   any  selves  shew  of  us  what  manner 

means  I  may  provoke  to  emula-  of  entering  in  we  had  unto  you, 

tlon    them    which    are   my   flesh,  and  how  ye  turned  to  God  from 

and  might  save  some  of  them.  idols  to  s«rve  the  living  and  true 

1    Cor.    9 :22.     To    the    weak  God ; 

became  I  as  weak,  that  I  might  10.  And   to   wait   for   his    Son 

gain   the  weak :    I   am   made   all  from    heaven,    whom    he    raised 

things  to  all  men,  that  I   might  from  the  dead,  even  Jesus,  which 

by  all  means  save  some.  delivered  us   from  the  wrath  to 

1  Thes.  1 :9.     For  they  them-  come. 

(118) 


OBJECTIONS     CONSIDERED.  119 


No.  II.    It  Discourages  Work. 

It  is  objected  that  it  discourages  work.  This  is  most 
inconsistent  and  untrue,  for  the  very  essence  of  the  doctrine 
is  to  WATCH,  WORK  AND  WAIT,  and  to  work  NOW  for  the 
night  cometh  when  no  man  can  work.2 

No.  III.    So  Many  Unsaved  Friends. 

Some  object  that  they  have  so  many  unsaved  friends, 
they  cannot  wish  Jesus  to  come. 

WORK  THEN,  for  we  read  "all  that  my  Father  giveth  me 
shall  come  to  me"  (John  6:37-39),  and  whosoever  will  may 
come.3  Knowing  the  terror  (fear)  of  the  Lord,  let  us  per- 
suade men.  2  Cor.  5:11. 

The  Antedeluvians  would  not  heed  the  preaching  of 
Noah,  and  even  Lot's  kindred  (his  sons-in-law)  would  not 
go  with  him  out  of  Sodom.  So  there  will  be  those  who  will 
not  accept  of  Christ.  But  of  all  who  believe  in  Him4  not 
one  will  be  lost.6  The  Israelites  were  often  led  to  repent- 
ance, in  the  midst  of  adversity  and  calamity,  and  so  if  our 
friends  will  not  be  entreated  to  accept  of  Christ  now,  it 
is  perhaps  possible  that  they  may  do  so  under  the  visible 
judgments  of  God,  during  the  Tribulation. 

But  whether  they  will  or  not,  let  us  consider,  that  the 
great  mass  of  humanity  are  engulfed  in  the  maelstrom  of 
sin,  which  is  sweeping  its  millions  down  to  graves  of  de- 

Jas.  5:20.  Let  him  know,  that  (4)    John  1:12.     But  as  many 

be    which   converteth   the    sinner  as  received  him,  to  them  gave  he 

from  the  error  of  his  ways  shall  power  to  become  the  sons  of  God, 

save  a  soul  from  death,  and  shall  even    to    them    that    believe    on 

hide  a   multitude  of  sins.  his  name : 

(2)  John   9:4.      I   must   work  (5)    John    10:27.       My    sheep 
the  works  of  him  that  sent  me,  hear  my  voice,  and  I  know  them, 
while  it  is  day :  the  night  com-  and  they  follow  me : 

eth,  when  no  man  can  work.  28.  And  I  give  unto  them  eter- 

See  also  page  143.  nal    life ;    and    they    shall    never 

(3)  Rev.     22 :17.        And     the  perish,    neither    shall    any    man 
Spirit  and  the  bride   say,   Come.  pluck  them  out  of  my  hand. 
And    let    him    that    heareth    say,  Mat.    7 :13.      Enter    ye    in    at 
Come.       And     let     him    that    is  the  strait  gate :   for  wide  is   the 
athirst    come.       And    whosoever  gate,  and  broad  is  the  way,  that 
will,  let  him  take  the  water  of  leadeth  to  destruction,  and  many 
life  freely.  there    be    which    go    in    thereat 


120  JESUS  IS  COMING. 

struction  (Mat.  7:13),  and  compared  to  them,  in  numbers, 
the  true  believers  are  but  a  handful.  In  the  Millennium 
all  this  will  be  changed,  "for  the  earth  shall  be  full  of  the 
knowledge  of  the  Lord  as  the  waters  cover  the  sea"  (Isa. 
11:9),  and  all  men  shall  bow  to  the  righteous  scepter  of 
King  Immanuel.6 

We  would  not  sacrifice  the  hundreds  of  lives  upon  a 
passenger  train,  to  save  the  life  of  even  a  FRIEND  who  will- 
fully exposed  himself  to  danger  upon  the  track;  and  are 
not  all  men  our  brothers?  and  shall  we  not  yearn  to  save 
them  from  the  tide  of  spiritual  death?  Oh!  then,  let  us 
cry  with  the  Holy  Spirit:  "Even  so  come,  Lord  Jesus." 
Rev.  22 :20.  For  when  He  comes  the  work  will  be  cut  short 
in  righteousness.7 

No.  IV.    My  Kingdom  Is  Not  of  This  World. 

It  is  objected  that  Jesus  said:  "My  Kingdom  is  not 
of  this  world."  John  18:36.  True!  not  of  the  spirit  of 
the  world  (1  John  2 :15-17) ;  just  as  believers  are  not  of 
the  world.  John  15 :19.  The  correct  rendering  of  the  pas- 
sage is,  "My  Kingdom  is  not  (oc)  out  of  this  world."  That 
is,  it  does  not  emanate  from  this  world.  He  is  not  (oc) 
out  of  this  world.8  Both  He  and  His  Kingdom  are  from 
above.9  But  it  will  be  set  up  on  this  earth,  in  accordance 

(6)   Isa.     45:22.       Look    unto  and   shall   be   called   the   Son    of 

me,  and  be  ye  saved,  all  the  ends  the   Highest ;   and  the  Lord   God 

of  the  earth :  for  I  am  God,  and  shall   give   unto   him   the  throne 

there  is  none  else.  of  his  father  David : 

23.  I    have    sworn   by   myself,  33.  And    he    shall    reign    over 

the    word    is    gone    out    of    my  the  house  of  Jacob  for  ever ;  and 

mouth     in      righteousness,      and  of    his    kingdom    there    shall    be 

shall   not   return,   That  unto   me  no  end. 

,every     knee     shall     bow,     every  Also  Rom.  14 :11 ;  Mic.  4  :l-7. 

Itongue  shall   swear.  (7)    Rom.   9 :28.     For   he  will 

Phil.  2  :10.     That  at  the  name  finish  the  work,  and  cut  if  short 

of  Jesus  every  knee  should  bow,  In  righteousness :  because  a  short 

of  things  in   heaven,   and  things  work  will    the   Lord   make   upon 

In    earth,    and   things   under   the  the  earth, 
earth;  (8)   John  8:23.     And  he  said 

11.  And     that     every     tongue  unto  them,  Ye  are  from  beneath ; 

should  confess  that  Jesus  Christ  I  am  from  above :  ye  are  of  this 

is  Lord,  to  the  glory  of  God  the  world ;  I  am  not  of  this  world. 
Father.  (9)   Col.   3 :1.     If  ye  then  be 

Luke  1 :32.    He  shall  be  great,  risen    with    Christ,     seek    those 


OBJECTIONS     CONSIDERED. 


121 


with  the  prayer  which  He  taught  us  "Thy  Kingdom  come. 
Thy  will  be  done,  as  in  heaven,  so  in  earth."  Luke  11 :2.10 
Earthly  kingdoms  are  corrupted  by  the  deception  of  Satan. 
But  in  the  Millennial  Kingdom  he  will  not  deceive  them, 
for  he  shall  be  bound.11 

There  is  nothing  essentially  sinful  in  matter.  Adam  was 
sinless  before  his  fall  and  he  had  a  material  body.  Christ 
has  a  material  body  and  is  without  sin.  The  earth  was 
cursed  because  of  sin  and  the  spirit  of  the  world  clings  to 
sin.12  But  when  the  curse  is  removed,13  and  all  things 
that  offend  are  gathered  out  of  the  kingdom,14  then  shall 


things  which  are  above,  where 
Christ  sitteth  on  the  right  hand 
of  God. 

2.  Set  your  affection  on  things 
above,    not    on    things    on    the 
earth. 

3.  For  ye  are  dead,  and  your 
life  is  hid  with  Christ  in  God. 

4.  When    Christ,    who    is    our 
life,  shall  appear,   then  shall   ye 
also  appear  with  him  in  glory. 

Gal.  4 :26.  But  Jerusalem 
which  is  above  is  free,  which  is 
the  mother  of  us  all. 

(10)  Dan.  2:44.  And  in  the 
days  of  these  kings  shall  the 
God  of  heaven  set  up  a  kingdom, 
which  shall  never  be  destroyed : 
and  the  kingdom  shall  not  be 
left  to  other  people,  but  it  shall 
break  in  pieces  and  consume  all 
these  kingdoms,  and  it  shall 
stand  for  ever. 

Dan.  7:18.  But  the  saints  of 
the  Most  High  shall  take  the 
kingdom,  and  possess  the  king- 
dom for  ever,  even  for  ever  and 
ever. 

Jer.  23 :5.  Behold,  the  days 
come,  saith  the  Lord,  that  I  will 
raise  unto  David  a  righteous 
Branch,  and  a  King  shall  reign 
and  prosper,  and  shall  execute 
judgment  and  justice  in  the 
earth. 

6.  In  his  days  Judah  shall  be 
saved,  and  Israel  shall  dweli 


safely:  and  this  is  his  name 
whereby  he  shall  be  called,  THE 
LORD  OUR  RIGHTEOUSNESS. 

(11)  Rev.    20:1.      And    I    saw 
an      angel      come      down      from 
heaven,    having   the    key    of    the 
bottomless  pit  and  a  great  chain 
In  his  hand. 

2.  And    he    laid    hold    on    the 
dragon,    that  old   serpent,    which 
Is    the    Devil,    and    Satan,    and 
bound   him   a   thousand   years, 

3.  And  cast  him  into  the  bot- 
tomless   pit,    and    shut    him    up, 
and    set    a    seal    upon    him,    that 
he  should  deceive  the  nations  no 
more,    till    the    thousand    years 
should    be    fulfilled :     and     after 
that   he   must  be   loosed   a   little 
season. 

(12)  Rom.  1:32.    Who,  know- 
ing   the    judgment    of    God,    that 
they   which   commit    such   things 
are  worthy  of  death,  not  only  do 
the   same,   but   have   pleasure    in 
them   that  do  them. 

(13)  Rev.    22:3.      And    there 
shall  be  no  more  curse  :   but  the 
throne  of  God  and  of  the  Lamb 
shall    be    in    it ;    and    his    serv- 
ants shall  serve  him. 

(14)  Mat.    13:41.     The    Son 
of  man  shall  send  forth  his  an- 
gels1,   and   they  shall    gather   out 
of    his    kingdom    all    things   that 
offend,    and   them   which   do   in- 
iquity. 


122  JESUS  IS  COMING. 

all  creation  have  that  for  which  it  groans,15  and  the 
righteous  shall  shine  forth  as  the  sun  in  the  kingdom  of 
their  Father.16 

No.  V.    The  Kingdom  Within  You. 

It  is  objected,  that  the  kingdom  of  God  is  not  material 
and  visible,  but  that  it  is  spiritual  and  invisible.  In  sup- 
port of  this  the  following  words  of  Jesus  in  Luke  17 :20-21 
are  cited:  "When  He  was  demanded  of  the  Pharisees, 
when  the  kingdom  of  God  should  come,  He  answered  them 
and  said:  The  kingdom  of  God  cometh  not  with  observa- 
tion; neither  shall  they  say,  lo,  here!  or  lo,  there!  for  be- 
.hold,  the  kingdom  of  God  is  within  you." 

Observation  should  be  translated  "careful  watching1," 
see  Dr.  Adam  Clarke,  or  "narrow  watching,"  see  Rotber- 
ham.  The  marginal,  and  better  reading  for  "within  you" 
is  "among  you,"  see  Rotherham,  Wilson,  Prof.  Whitting, 
and  others.  He  did  not  say  that  the  kingdom  of  God  was 
within,  or  in  the  hearts  of  those  wicked  Pharisees,  but  that 
it  was  among  them,  viz. :  within  the  Jewish  nation.  As 
Bengel  states  it,  "within  is  here  used,  not  in  any  respect  of 
the  heart  of  individual  Pharisees,  ....  but  in  respect 
to  the  whole  Jewish  people.  The  King,  Messiah,  and 
therefore  the  kingdom  is  here :  ye  see  and  ye  hear." 

The  sense,  then,  is  as  follows:  The  kingdom  of  God 
cometh  not  with  "careful  watching."  That  is,  not  in  such 
a  way  as  to  be  discerned  only  by  sagacious  critics,  nor  is  it 

(15)   Rom.     8 :19.       For     the  travaileth  in  pain  together  until 

earnest  expectation   of  the  crea-  now. 

ture   waiteth   for   the   manifesta-  23.  And    not    only    they,    but 

tion  of  the  sons  of  God.  ourselves    also,    which    have    the 

20.  For     the     creature     was  flrstfruits    of    the    Spirit,    even 
made     subject     to     vanity,     not  we  ourselves   groan   within    our- 
willingly,   but  by   reason  of  him  selves,      waiting     the     adoption, 
who  hath  subjected  the  same  in  to    tcit,    the    redemption    of   our 
hope ;  body. 

21.  Because    the    creature    it-  d6)    Mat.    13 :42.     And   shall 
self  also  shall  be  delivered  from  cast  them  into  a  furnace  of  fire : 
the    bondage    of    corruption    into  ^SSuJf^St  ».£?*.   walllng     and 
the  glorious  liberty  of  the  chil-  «"Jf '»,&£  snS '  the  righteous 

shine    forth    as    the    sun    In    the 

22.  For     wo    know    that    the       kingdom    of   their   Father.     Who 
whole     creation     groaneth     and       hath  ears  to  hear,  let  him  hear. 


OBJECTIONS     CONSIDERED.  123 

to  be  seen  only  by  those  who  are  scrupulously  watching  for 
it.  They  shall  not  say,  Behold  here  or  there,  for  the  king* 
dom  of  God  is  among  you,  to-wit :  it  was  then  visibly  pres- 
ent among  them,  in  the  person  of  Jesus  the  King.  And 
so  it  will  be  visibly  present  when  He  comes  again.17  It 
did  not,  and  will  not,  need  scrupulous  watching  to  discern 
it,  Had  they  received  Him  with  faith,— instead  of  (nar- 
rowly) watching  Him  with  deceitful  spies,18  they  might 
have  realized  that  their  King  was  then  visibly  present,  and 
ready  to  usher  in  the  universal  manifestation  of  the  king- 
dom, which  had  been  seen  by  the  favored  disciples  of  the 
Mount.19  How  gladly  He  would  have  then  fully  mani- 
fested Himself  as  King,  and  established  His  Kingdom 
(among  them,  is  shown  by  His  words  of  tender  yearning  in 
Mat.  23:37-39: 

"O  Jerusalem,  Jerusalem,  thou  that  killest  the  prophets, 
and  stonest  them  which  are  sent  unto  thee,  how  often  would 
I  have  gathered  thy  children  together,  even  as  a  hen  gath- 
ereth  her  chickens  under  her  wings,  and  ye  would  not! 
Behold,  your  house  is  left  unto  you  desolate.  For  I  say 
unto  you,  Ye  shall  not  see  me  henceforth,  till  ye  shall  say, 
Blessed  is  He  that  cometh  in  the  name  of  the  Lord." 

He  came  in  His  Father's  name;  but  the  Israelites  to 
whom  He  spoke  would  not  receive  Him.20 

(17)  Rev.  6 :16.     And  said  to      until    the    Son   of  man   be    risen 
the  mountains  and  rocks,  Fall  on      again   from   the   dead. 

as,  and  hide  us  from  the  face  of  2  Pet.  1 :16.     For  we  have  not 

faim   that  sltteth   on  the   throne,  followed    cunningly    devised    fa- 

and     from     the    wrath    of     the  ties,  when  we  made  known  unto 

lamb;  you    the    power    and    coming    of 

17.   For  the  great  day  of  his  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  but  were 

•wrath    is    come ;    an*}   who    shall  eyewitnesses  of  his  majesty. 

be  able  to   stand?  17.  For  he  received  from  God 

(18)  Luke   20:20.     And  they  the    Father    honour    and    glory, 
watched    Him,     and     sent    forth  when  there  came  such  a  voice  to 
spies,   which  should   feign  them-  him    from    the    excellent    glory, 
selves  just  men,  that  th'ey  might  This  is  my  beloved  Son,  in  whom 
take  hold  of  his  words,  that  so  I  am  well  pleased. 

they  might  deliver  him  unto  the  18.  And  this  voice  which  came 

power  and  authority  of  the  gov-  from  heaven  we  heard,  when  we 

ermor.  were     with     him     in     the     holy 

(19)  Mat.     17:9.       And     as  mount. 

they  came  down  from  the  moun-  (20)   John  5:43.     I  am  com* 

tain,  Jesus  charged  them,  say-  in  my  Father's  name,  and  ye 
ing,  Tell  the  vision  to  no  man,  receive  me  not:  if  another  shall 


124  JESUS  IS  COMING. 

"He  came  unto  His  own  and  His  own  received  Him  not." 
John  1:11. 

Preferring  a  robber,  they  rejected  and  crucified  their 
King  and  so  the  kingdom  waits  until  they  shall  accept 
Him,21  when  the  kingdom  of  the  world  shall  become  the 
kingdom  of  our  Lord's  and  of  His  Christ's  and  He  shall 
reign  for  the  AGES  OF  AGES.  See  Greek.22 

Oh!  Blessed  "KING  OP  KINGS!"  COME,  and  may  "THY 
KINGDOM  COME/' 

The  King  there  in  His  beauty, 

Without  a  veil  is  seen; 
It  were  a  well-spent  journey, 

Though    sev'n    deaths    lay    between, 
The  Lamb,  with  His  fair  army, 

Doth   on  Mount  Zion  stand, 
And  glory,  glory  dwelleth 

In   Immanuel's   land. 

No.  VI.    The  Kingdom  Is  Not  Meat  and  Drink. 

It  is  objected  that  Paul  said,  "The  Kingdom  of  God 
(s  not  meat  and  drink;  but  righteousness,  and  peace,  and 
joy  in  the  Holy  Ghost."  Rom.  14:17. 

come  In  his  own  name,  him  ye  Rom.  11 :25.    For  I  would  not. 

Will  receive.  brethren,    that  ye   should  be   ig- 

(21)   Zech.  12:10.     And  I  will  norant   of   this   mystery,   lest   ye 

pour    upon   the   house   of   David,  should  be  wise  in  your  own  con- 

and     upon     the     inhabitants     of  celts,    that   blindness   in    part   is 

Jerusalem,    the    spirit    of    grace  happened  to  Israel,  until  the  ful- 

and    of    supplications ;    and   they  ness  of  the  Gentiles  be  come  in. 

shall   look   upon   me   whom   they  26.  And  so  all  Israel  shall  be 

have     pierced,     and     they    shall  saved :  as  it  is  written,  There 

mourn   for   him,   as   one  mourn-  shall  come  out  of  Sion  the  De- 

eth  for  his   only  son,  and  shall  liverer,  and  shall  turn  away  un- 

be  in  bitterness  for  him,  as  one  godliness  from  Jacob  : 

that  is  in  bitterness  for  Tit's  first-  27.  For   this   is   my    covenant 

born.  unto    them,    when    I    shall    take 

Zech.  13  :6.    And  one  shall  say  away  their  sins, 

unto  him,  What  are  these  wounds  28.  As   concerning   the  gospel, 

In  thine  hands?     Then   he  shall  they  are  enemies'  for  your  sakes : 

answer,  Those  with  which  I  was  but  as  touching  the  election,  they 

wounded    in    the    house    of    my  are     beloved     for     the     fathers' 

friends.  eakes. 

Mat.    23:39.     For  I  say  unto  (22)  Rev.     11:15.      And    the 

you,  Ye  shall  not  see  me  hence-  seventh      angel      sounded ;      and 

forth,   till  ye   shall   say,   Blessed  there    followed    great    voices    ID 

ia  he  that  cometh  in  the  name  of  heaven,  and  they  said, 

the  Lord.  The   kingdom   of   the   world 


OBJECTIONS     CONSIDERED.  125 

Indeed  it  is  not  "meat  and  drink,"  or  eating  and  drink- 
ing, or  simply  outward  observances.  Neither  was  the  King- 
dom of  Israel  meat  and  drink,  nor  the  Roman  Empire. 
But  the  subjects  of  each  did  eat  and  drink,  and  Paul  simply 
taught  that  they  should  do  so  circumspectly  and  with 
charity.  So  will  the  subjects  of  the  kingdom  of  God  eat 
and  drink.  "Blessed  is  he  that  shall  eat  bread  in  the  king- 
dom of  God."  Luke  14:15.  "Blessed  are  they  which  are 
called  unto  the  marriage  supper  of  the  Lamb."  Rev.  19 :9. 
See  the  Feast  of  Isa.  25 :6-8.23 

Jesus  himself  said,  "I  will  not  drink  henceforth  of  this 
fruit  of  the  vine,  until  that  day  when  I  drink  it  new  with 
you  in  my  Father's  kingdom."  Mat.  26 :29. 

And  iagain:  "I  appoint  unto  you  a  kingdom,  as  my 
Father  hath  appointed  unto  me ;  that  ye  may  eat  and  drink 
at  my  table  in  my  kingdom."  Luke  22 :29-30.  This  is  the 
strongest  proof  that  the  kingdom  will  be  literal  and  ma- 
terial, though  it  shall  be  freed  from  the  curse  of  sin.24 

No.  VII.    Flesh  and  Blood. 

It  is  objected  that  flesh  and  blood  cannot  inherit  the 
kingdom  of  God.25 

Certainly  we  do  not  INHERIT  it  through  the  flesh— the 
unregenerate  man.  But  through  the  Spirit  we  are  born 

is    become    the    kingdom    of  faces  ;  and  the  rebuke  of  his  peo  ' 

our  LoM,  and  of  his  Christ :  pie  shall  he  take  away  from  off 

and  he  shall  reign*  for  ever  all  the  earth :  for  the  Lord  hath 

and  ever.  spoken   it. 

*Gr.  unto  the  ages  of  the  ages.  (24)     Mat.    13 :41.      The    Son 

(23)    Isa.    25:6.      And   in   this  of  man   shall  send  forth  his  an- 

mountain  shall  the  Lord  of  hosts'  gels,   and   they  shall   gather   out 

make  unto  all  people  a  feast  of  of   nls   kingdom    all    things   that 

fat   things,    a   feast  of  wines   on  offend,    and   them    which    do    in- 

the    lees,    of    fat    things    full    of  1QU'iy ;  „ 

marrow,    of    wines    on   the    lees  ?2'    And  ,sh.a11  c«t  them  Into 

well   rpfinpd  a  furnace  of  flre :  there  shall  be 

7.  A.d  fe  „,„  destroy  ,n  tt,s  "'»'» ^  BSfySft. 
mountain  the  face  of  the  cover-  shine    forth    as    the    sun    ln    the 
ing  cast  over  all  people,  and  the  kingdom  of  their   Father      Who 
veil  that  is  spread  over  all  na-  hath  ears  to  hear,  let  him  hear, 
tions.  (25)    1  Cor.  15:50.  NOT'  this  I 

8.  He    will    swallow   up    death  say,     brethren,     that     flesh     and 
In    victory ;    and    the    Lord    God  blood    cannot    inherit    the    king- 
will  wipe  away  tears  from  off  all  dom  of  God. 


126 


JESUS  18  COMING. 


again,26  created  anew  hi  Christ  Jesus,27  and  made  "joint 
heirs"  with  Him.28  The  flesh  profiteth  nothing.  The 
Spirit  quickeneth.29 

Paul  in  this  chapter  (1  Cor.  15)  is  treating  of  the  sub- 
ject of  the  resurrection  which  he  proves  to  be  so  important, 
that  without  it,  we  could  not  inherit,  or  become  possessed 
of  the  kingdom  of  God.  "Flesh  and  blood"  he  says  cannot 
inherit  it,  and  therefore  he  shows  that  at  the  resurrection, 
our  bodies  of  corruptible  flesh  and  blood,  which  have  died, 
shall  be  raised  in  incorruption  and  immortality.  And  the 
bodies  of  those  who  are  living  at  that  time  shall  be 
changed  and  " fashioned  like  unto  His  glorious  body."30 
Now,  in  our  flesh  and  blood,  we  are  bearing  the  image  of 
Adam,  the  first  man,  "which  is  of  the  earth,  earthy." 
But  at  the  resurrection  we  shall  be  changed  so  as  to  "  bear 
the  image  of  the  heavenly"  "the  second  man,"  "the  Lord 
from  heaven."81 


(26)  John     3 :3.       Jesus     an- 
swered and  said  unto  him,  Ver- 
ily, rerily,  I  say  unto  thee.  Ex- 
cept   a   man    be   born    again,    be 
iannot  see  the  kingdom  of  God. 

4.  Nicodemus  saith  unto  him, 
How  can  a  man  be  born  when 
be  is  old?  can  he  enter  the  sec- 
ond time  into  his  mother's  womb, 
and  be  born? 

6.  Jesus  answered,  Verily,  ver- 
ily, I  say  unto  thee,  Except  a 
man  be  born  of  water  and  of 
the  Spirit,  he  cannot  enter  into 
the  kingdom  of  God. 

(27)  Eph.  2:10.     For  we  are 
bis      workmanship,     created     in 
Christ    Jesus    unto    good   works, 
which  God  hath  before  ordained 
that  we  should  walk  in  them. 

(28)  Rom.     8 :15.       For     ye 
have   not    received    the   spirit   of 
bondage    again   to    fear ;    but   ye 
have  received  the  Spirit  of  adop- 
tion,    whereby     we    cry,     Abba, 
Father. 

16.  The    Spirit    itself    beareth 
Witness  with  our  spirit,  that  we 
are  the  children  of  God : 

17.  And      if      children,      then 
heirs ;    heirs    of   God,    and   joint 


heirs  with  Christ;  If  so  be  that 
we  suffer  with  him,  that  we  may 
be  also  glorified  together. 

(29)  John    6:63.      It    is    the 
Spirit  that  quickeneth ;  the  flesh 
proflteth  nothing :  the  words  that 
I  speak  unto  you,  they  are  spirit, 
and  they  are  life. 

(30)  Phil.  3  :20.  For  our  con- 
versation   Is     in    heaven ;     from 
whence  also  we  look  for  the  Sa- 
viour, the  Lord  Jesus  Christ: 

21.  Who  shall  change  our  vile 
body,  that  it  may  be  fashioned 
like  unto  his  glorious  body,  ac- 
cording to  the  working  whereby 
he  is  able  even  to  subdue  all 
tMngs  unto  himself. 

(31)  1  Cor.  15  :45.     And  so  It 
Is  written,    The  first  man  Adam 
was  made  a  living  soul ;  the  last 
Adam    was    made    a    quickening 
spirit. 

46.  Howbeit  that  was  not  first 
which  is  spiritual,  but  that  which 
is    natural ;    and    afterward   that 
which  is  spiritual. 

47.  The    first    man    is    of    the 
earth,  earthy :  the  second  man  is 
the   Lord   from   heaven. 

48.  As  is  the  earthy,  such  are 


OBJECTIONS    CONSIDERED.  127 

And  He  who  raised  up  Christ  from  the  dead,  and  who 
hath  given  us  the  Spirit  of  adoption  (sonship)  whereby 
we  become  heirs  of  God  and  joint  heirs  with  Christ,  will, 
by  His  Spirit  that  dwelleth  in  us,  also  quicken  (or  make 
alive)  our  mortal  bodies.32  Then,  and  then  only,  can  we 
inherit,33  or  come  into  possession  of  the  kingdom,34  which 
God  hath  promised  to  give  unto  us.35  Hence,  we  see  the 
vital  importance  of  the  resurrection,  without  which  we  could 
not  inherit  the  kingdom  of  God,*  verse  50.  The  evident 
purpose  of  this  objection  is  to  support  the  assertion  made 
by  Post-millenialists  that  the  kingdom  is  only  spiritual  and 
that  there  is  nothing  literal  or  material  in  it.  But  Paul 
says  nothing  of  the  kind  and  his  whole  argument  is  entirely 
to  the  contrary.  For  he  asserts  that  our  cru>/ia  (soma — 
body)  which  is  sown  in  corruption,  dishonor  and  weakness, 
will  be  raised  in  incorruption,  glory  and  power,  or  if  living, 
will  be  changed  in  the  twinkling  of  an  eye.36  In  these 
glorified  bodies  we  shall  "inherit  the  kingdom  prepared 

*Here  let  it  be  noticed  Is  another  evidence  that  the  King- 
dom is  yet  future. 

they  also   that  are  earthy :   and  little     flock ;     for     it     is     your 

as    is    the    heavenly,    such    are  Father's    good    pleasure    to    give 

they  also  that  are  heavenly.  you  the  kingdom. ' 

49.  And  as1  we  have  borne  the  (36)   1   Cor.    15:42.      So   also 

Image    of    the    earthy,    we    shall  is  the  resurrection  of  the  dead, 

also  bear  the  image  of  the  heav-  It   is   sown   in   corruption,   it  is 

enly.  raised  in  incorruption : 

(32)  Rom.    8  :11.      But  if   the  43.  It  is  sown  in  dishonour,  tt 
Spirit  of  him  that  raised  up  Je-  is  raised  in  glory :  it  is  sown  in 
sus  from  the  dead  dwell  in  you,  weakness,   it  is  raised  in  power : 
he   that   raiseth   up    Christ   from  44.  It  is  sown  a  natural  body, 
the  dead  shall  also  quicken  your  it    is    raised    a    spiritual    body 
mortal  bodies  by  his  Spirit  that  There    is    a    natural    body,    anc 
dwelleth  in  you.  there  is  a  spiritual  body. 

(33)  1  Cor.  15:50.     Now  this  51.  Behold,  I  shew  you  a  mys- 
I    say,    brethren,    that   flesh    and  tery ;    We    shall    not    all    sleep, 
blood  cannot  inherit  the  kingdom  but  we  shall  all  be  changed, 

of  God ;   neither  doth  corruption  52.  In      a     moment,      in     the 

inherit  incorruption.  twinkling  of  an  eye,   at  the  last 

(34)  Dan.     7 :22.       Until    the  trump :    for    the    trumpet    shall 
Ancient  of  days  came,  and  judg-  sound,    and    the    dead    shall    be 
ment  was  given  to  the  saints  of  raised  incorruptible,  and  we  shall 
the    Mo&t    High;    and    the    time  be  changed. 

came    that   the    saints   possessed  53.  For  this  corruptible  must 

the  kingdom.  put    on    incorruption,     and    this 

(35)  Luke   12:32.     Fear   not,       mortal  must  put  on  immortality. 


128 


JESUS  JS  COMING. 


for"  us  "from  the  foundation  of  the  world.""  Tor  Christ 
the  rightful  heir  of  all  things38  will  be  there  and  we  shall 
be  there  to  reign  with  Him.39 

And  He  will  have  his  glorified  body,  His  body  that  was 
raised*0  and  ascended41  and  entered  into  heaven.42 

The  glorified  body  which  Stephen  saw  there,43  and  which 
Paul  saw  (Acts  9:5)  and  also  John,  Eev.  1:13. 

The  body  which  bears  the  scars  of  the  cross;44  "A  Lamb 
as  it  had  been  slain."  Yes,  He  will  return  in  the  flesh. 
Acts  1:11.  The  true  reading  of  2  John  7,  is,  "who  confess 
not  Jesus  Christ  coming*  in  the  flesh."  See  also  Isa.  63: 
1-6,  and  Eev.  19  :11-16.  And  "we  know  that  when  He  shall 
appear,  we  shall  be  like  Him."  1  John  3:2.  Therefore  it 
is  clear,  that  we,  in  these  same  bodies,  changed  into  the 
image  of  Christ's  glorious  body,  shall  inherit  the  Kingdom 
of  God. 


*Gr.  ipxo 


coming.     See  page  200. 


(37)  Mat.   25:34.    Then  shall 
the   King  say  unto  them  on  his 
right  hand,   Come,   ye  blessed  of 
my  Father,   inherit  the  kingdom 
prepared  for  you  from  the  foun- 
dation of  the  world. 

(38)  Mat.   21:38.      But  when 
the    husbandmen    saw    the    son, 
they     said      among     themselves, 
This    is    the   heir ;    come,    let   us 
kill  him,  and  let  us  seize  on  his 
inheritance. 

Heb.  1:2.  Hath  at  the  end 
of  these  days  spoken  unto  us  in 
jits  Son,  whom  he  appointeth  heir 
of  all  things,  through  whom  also 
lie  made  the  *worlds. 

*Gr.  ages.  Comp.  1  Tim.  1 :17. 

Also  1  Tim.  6  :15. 

(39)  2  Tim.  2  :12.     If  we  suf- 
fer,   we    shall    also    reign    with 
him:   if  we  deny   him,    he   also 
will  deny  us. 

Also  Rom.   8  :17  ;  John  17  :24. 

(40)  Luke  24:39.  Behold  my 
hands  and  my  feet,  that  it  is  1 
myself :  handle  me,  and  see ;  for 
a  spirit  hath  not  flesh  and 
as  ye  see  me  have. 


(41)  Acts  1:9.     And  when  he 
had    spoken    these    things,    while 
they   beheld,    he   was   taken    up ; 
and  a  cloud  received  him  out  of 
their  sight. 

(42)  Heb.    9:24.      For    Christ 
is    not    entered     into    the    holy 
places   made   with   hands,   which 
are  the  figures  of  the  true ;  but 
into  heaven  itself,  now  to  appear 
In    the   presence  of   God    for   us. 

Also  Heb.  4:14. 

(43)  Acts  7:55.     But  he,  be- 
ing    full     of     the     Holy     Ghost, 
looked       up       steadfastly       into 
heaven,    and    saw    the    glory    of 
God,   and  Jesus  standing  on   the 
right  hand  of   God. 

(44)  Rev.  5  :6.     And  I  beheld, 
and,    lo,    in    the    midst    of    the 
throne    and    of   the    four    beasts, 
and   in  the   midst   of   the  elders, 
stood    a    Lamb    as    it    had    been 
slain,    having    seven    horns    and 
seven  eyes,  which  are  the  seven 
Spirits  of  God  sent  fortb  into  all 
tha  earth- 


OBJECTIONS     CONSIDERED. 


129 


No.  VIII.    The  Work  of  the  Holy  Spirit  a  Failure. 

It  is  objected  that  this  doctrine  disparages  the  work  of 
the  Holy  Spirit. 

Not  so !  For  what  is  the  work  of  the  Holy  Spirit  ?  He 
is  gathering  the  bride.  He  teaches,  guides,  and  comforts 
her,45  until  she  is  presented  to  Christ.46 

At  the  same  time  he  reproves  the  world  of  sin,  and  of 
righteousness,  and  judgment.  John  16 :8. 

He  may  be  grieved,47  resisted,48  and  quenched49  now,  but 
He  will  not  always  strive  with  man.50  His  present  work 
will  be  finished,  and  the  King  of  kings  and  Lord  of  lords 
will  come  forth  with  the  armies  of  heaven  to  subdue  His 
enemies  (Rev.  19)  and  finish  the  work.51 


(45)  John    14:17.      Even    the 
Spirit  of  truth ;  whom  the  world 
cannot   receive,   because   it  seeth 
him   not,    neither   knoweth   him : 
but  ye  know  him ;  for  he  dwell- 
eth    with   you,    an<l    shall    be   in 
you. 

26.  But  the  Comforter,  which 
is  the  Holy  Ghost,  whom  the 
Father  will  send  in  my  name, 
he  shall  teach  you  all  things,  and 
bring  all  things  to  your  remem- 
brance, whatsoever  I  have  said 
unto  you. 

John  16 :13.  Howbeit  when 
he,  the  Spirit  of  truth,  is  come, 
he  will  guide  you  into  all  truth : 
for  he  shall  not  speak  of  him- 
self ;  but  whatsoever  he  shall 
hear,  that  shall  he  speak :  and 
he  will  shew  you  things  to  come. 

14.  He    shall    glorify   me :    for 
he    shall    receive    of    mine,    and 
shall  shew  it  unto  you. 

15.  All  things  that  the  Father 
hath  are  mine  :  therefore  said  I, 
that  be  shall  take  of  mine,   and 
shall  shew  it  unto  you. 

(46)  Eph.     5:25.       Husbands, 
love  your  wives,   even   as   Christ 
also  loved  the  church,   and  gave 
himself  for  it ; 

26.  That     he     might     sanctify 
and  cleanse  it  with  the  washing 
of  water  by  the  word, 

27.  That   he   might   present  It 
to    himself    a    glorious    church. 


not  having  spot,  or  wrinkle,  or 
any  such  thing ;  but  that  it 
should  be  holy  and  without  blem« 
ish. 

(47)  Eph.   4:30.     And  grieve 
not     the     Holy     Spirit    of     God, 
whereby  ye   are   sealed  unto  the 
day  of   redemption. 

(48)  Acts     7:51.       Ye     stiff- 
necked     and     uncircumcised     in 
heart  and  ears,  ye  do  always  re- 
sist   the    Holy    Ghost:    as    your 
fathers'  did,  so  do  ye. 

(49)  1    Thes.    5:19.      Quench 
not  the  Spirit. 

(50)  Gen.  6:3.     And  the  Lord 
said.  My  Spirit  shall  not  always 
strive  with  man,  for  that  he  also 
is  flesh :  yet  his  days  shall  be  an 
hundred  and  twenty  years. 

(51)  Rev.   19:11.    And  I  saw 
heaven    opened,     and    behold    a 
white    horse ;    and    he    that    sat 
upon    him    was    called    Faithful 
and   True,   and   in   righteousness 
he  doth  judge  and  make  war. 

12.  His  eyes  were  as   a  flame 
of   flre,    and   on   his   head    were 
many    crowns ;     and    he    had    a 
name     written,      that     no     man 
knew,    but    he   himself. 

13.  And   he  was  clothed   with 
a  vesture   dipped   in   blood :    and 
his  name  is  called  The  Word  of 
God. 

14.  And  the  armies  which  were 
in    heaven    followed    him    upon 
white    horses,     clothed     in    fine 
linen,  white  and  clean. 


130 


JESUS  IB  COMING. 


It  was  "the  Spirit  of  God,"  which  "moved  upon  the  face 
of  the  waters"  in  the  beginning  (Gen.  1:2),  and  we  believe 
He  had  a  part  in  all  the  work  of  creation,  Gen.  1 :26.  He 
strove  with  sinners  before  the  flood,  Gen.  6:3.  He  spake 
by  the  prophets,  Acts  1 :16  ;  2  Pet.  1 :21.  He  was  specially 
granted  unto  Joseph  and  others.  Gen.  41 :38 ;  Ex.  31 :3 ; 
Num.  11:17;  24:2;  27:18;  2  Kings  2:9,  etc.  In  short, 
He  has  been  engaged  in  all  the  work  of  creation  and  re- 
demption. We  do  not  believe  that  His  work  is  a  failure 
because  of  the  flood,  nor  because  the  Jews  have  rejected 
Christ,  and  as  natural  branches,  have  been  broken  oft 
Rom.  11:20.  Neither  do  we  believe  His  work  will  be  a 
failure,  though  the  preaching  of  the  gospel  in  the  present 
dispensation  shall  only  result  in  the  salvation  of  "some."52 
We  feel  sure  that  He  shall  have  a  part  in  the  glory  and 
triumph  of  the  millennial  dispensation,  for  even  the  Israel- 
ites shall  then  have  a  new  Spirit  within  them.53  And  the 
nations  are  to  be  ruled,  in  peace  and  righteousness,  by 
Him  upon  whom  the  Spirit  of  the  Lord  doth  rest.64 


15.  And  out  of  his  mouth  gq- 
eth  a  sharp  sword,  that  with  it 
he     should     smite     the     nations, 
and   he   shall   rule   them   with   a 
rod    of    iron :    and    he    treadeth 
the    winepress    of    the    fierceness 
and  wrath  of  Almighty  God. 

16.  And  he  hath  on  Tits  ves- 
ture   and   on    his    thigh   a   name 
written,       KING      OF      KINGS, 
AND  LORD  OF   LORDS. 

Rom.  9  :28.  For  he  will  finish 
the  work,  and  cut  it  short  in 
righteousness :  because  a  short 
work  will  the  Lord  make  upon, 
the  earth. 

(52)  Luke  13:23.  Then  said 
one  unto  him,  Lord,  are  there 
few  that  be  saved?  And  he  said 
unto  them, 

24.  Strive     to     enter     in     at 
the  strait  gate :  for  many,  I  say 
unto  you,   will   seek  to  enter  in, 
and  shall  not  be  able. 

25.  When  once  the  master  of 
the  house  is  risen  up,   and  hath 
shut   to   the   door,   and   ye   begin 
to   stand   without,    and   to   knock 
at  the  door,  saying,  Lord.  Lord, 


open  unto  us ;  and  he  shall  an- 
swer and  say  unto  you,  I  know 
you  not  whence  ye  are. 

1  Cor.  9  :22.  To  the  weak  be- 
came I  as  weak,  that  I  might 
gain  the  weak;  I  am  made  all 
things  to  all  men,  that  I  might 
by  all  means  save  some. 

(53)  Ezek.  11 :19.     And  I  will 
give  them  one  heart,  and  I  will 
put  a  new  spirit  within  you ;  and 
I   will   take  the   stony  heart  out 
of  their  flesh,  and  will  give  them 
an  heart  of  flesh. 

See   references. 

(54)  Isa.      11:2.        And     the 
Spirit  of  the  Lord  shall  rest  upon 
him,    the    spirit    of    wisdom    and 
understanding,  the  spirit  of  coun- 
sel    and     might,     the    spirit    of 
knowledge    and    of    the    fear    of 
the  Lord ; 

3.  And  shall  make  him  of 
quick  understanding  in  the  fear 
of  the  Lord :  and  he  shall  not 
judge  after  the  sight  of  his  eyes, 
neither  reprove  after  the  hear- 
ing of  his  ears-' 


OBJECTIONS    CONSIDERED.  131 

Let  us  then  have  no  fear  of  jealousy  on  the  part  of  the 
Spirit,  because  of  the  triumphs  of  Christ.  Rather  let  us  be 
sure  that  He  seeks  to  hasten  the  presentation  of  the  bride, 
—which  is  being  sealed  by  Him  (Eph.  4:20),— unto  her 
Lord— who  hath  the  Spirit  without  measure,55  that  these 
twain,  united  into  one,56  may  be  the  one  perfect  man,57  the 
Holy  temple,58  built  for  the  habitation  of  God  in  Spirit.59 
And  who  can  estimate  what  shall  be  accomplished  by  the 
Spirit,  through  this  holy,  living  Temple,  in  which  He  shall 
dwell.  No  wonder  that  He  yearns  to  hasten  its  completion. 
See  the  type  of  His  haste  in  Gen.  24:56.60  But  this  com- 
pletion shall  not  take  place  until  the  Lord  comes,  when  the 
Head  shall  forever  be  united  to  the  body.  1  Thes.  4:18. 
Therefore,  in  this  we  may  realize,  to  some  extent,  the  mean- 
ing of  that  yearning  cry  of  the  Spirit  "EVEN  SO  COMB 
LORD  JESUS."  Rev.  22 :20. 

No.  IX.    The  Gospel  a  Failure. 

It  is  said  that  it  makes  the  gospel  a  failure. 

But  this  is  not  so.    Man  is  a  failure.     The  gospel  is  the 

4.  But       with       righteousness  the  measure  of  the  stature  of  the 

shall  he  judge  the  poor,  and  re-  fulness  of  Christ, 

prove  with  equity  for  the  meek  (53)   i   Cor.   3 :16.     Know   ye 

of  the  earth :  and  he  shall  smite  not    that   ye    are    the   temple    of 

the    earth    with    the    rod    of    his  GO(J(  an(j  that  tne  spirit  of  God 

mouth,    and    with    the   breath    of  dwelleth  in  you? 

his  lips  shall  he  slay  the  wicked.  Also  6  :19  and  2  Cor    g  .16 

^/r^-.fFo^whor  <59>    E"h'    2:20'      Being  built 

„  i52\2     \        \  ^  ^         T      uP°n  the  foundation  of  the  apos- 
God  hath  sent  speaketh  the  words        ,  d  het      Chrlst    j£SU£ 

of  God:  for  God  giveth  not  the  hlmse,f    ^   ^     w  f   CQrner 

Spirit  by  measure  unto  him.  stone  • 

(56)  Eph.   5  :30       Because  we  21/     In    whom    ^^    geveral 
are  members  of  his  body.  building,    fitly    framed    together, 

31.  For  this  cause  shall  a  man      groweth    Into   a   holy   temple    in 
leave  his1  father  and  mother,  and      the  Lord ; 

shall  cleave  to  his  wife ;  and  the          22.  In     whom     ye     also     are 
two   shall  become  one  flesh.  builded    together    for    a    habita- 

32.  This  mystery  is  great :  but      tion  of  God  in  the  Spirit. 

I  speak  in  regard  of  Christ  and  (60)    Gen.     24 :56.       And     ho 

of  the  church.  said  unto   them,   Hinder  me  not, 

(57)  Eph.    4:13.      Till   we   all  seeing   the  Lord    hath    prospered 
come   in   the   unity  of  the  faith,  my  way ;    send   me   away  that  I 
and  of  the  knowledge  of  the  Son  may  go  to  my  master. 

of  God,  unto  a  perfect  man,  unto          57.  And    they    said.    We    will 


132  JESLS  IS  COMING. 

power  of  God  unto  salvation  to  every  one  that  believeth 
(Rom.  1:16).  It  is  not  the  ineompetency  of  the  gospel, 
but  the  willful  unbelief  of  sinners  that  prevents  the  con- 
version of  the  world.  Jesus  said:  "Him  that  cometh 
unto  me  I  will  in  no  wise  cast  out."  John  6 :37.  But  He 
also  said  "Ye  will  not  come  unto  me  that  ye  might  have 
life."  John  5:40.  While  we  are  to  preach  the  gospel 
everywhere,  we  are  not  to  expect  that  all  will  receive  it. 
For,  when  He  said  unto  them,  "Go  ye  into  all  the  world, 
and  preach  the  gospel  to  every  creature,"  He  also  added, 
"He  that  believeth  and  is  baptized  shall  be  saved;  but  he 
that  believeth  not  shall  be  damned."  Mark  16 :15-16.  But 
"what  if  some  did  not  believe1?  Shall  their  unbelief  make 
THE  TRUTH  of  God  of  none  effect?  God  forbid."  Rom. 
3:3.  Salvation  shall  be  revealed  in  the  last  time.61 

Jesus  shall  see  of  the  travail  of  His  soul  and  be  satisfied 
Isa.  53:11. 

"After  this  I  beheld,-  and  lo,  a  great  multitude,  which  na 
man  .could  number,  of  all  nations,  and  kindreds,  and  people, 
and  tongues,  stood  before  the  throne  and  before  the  Lamb, 
clothed  with  white  robes  and  palms  in  their  hands,  and 
cried  with  a  loud  voice,  saying:  Salvation  to  our  God 
iwhich  sitteth  upon  the  throne,  and  unto  the  Lamb."  Rev. 
7:9-10. 

Alleluia;  Amen;  Alleluia. 

No.  X.    The  Gospel  Not  Preached  in  All  the  World. 

It  is  objected  that  the  gospel  has  not  yet  been  preached 
in  all  the  world,  as  Christ  asserted  it  should  be,  in  Mat. 
24:14,  and  therefore  we  cannot  yet  look  for  Christ,  nor  the 
end  to  come.  Let  us  carefully  examine  this  passage: 

"This  gospel  of  the  kingdom  shall  be  preached  in  all  the 
world,  for  a  witness  unto  all  nations;  and  then  shall  the 
end  come." 

call  the   damsel,  and   enquire  at      faith  unto  salvation  ready  to  be 
her  mouth.  revealed  in  the  last  time. 

58.  And  they  called  Rebekah,  f .  Co!'  V23'  "  *e  C0°tin"f,  J,n 

and  said  unto  her,  Wilt  thou  go  th«  faltn  grounded  and  settled, 

with  this  man?  And  she  said,  I  ^nd  be  not  moved  away  from  the 

wjij  „-  hope  of  the  gospel,  which  ye 

have  heard,  and  which  was 

(61)  1  Pet.  1 :5.  Who  are  preached  to  every  creature  which 

kept  by  the  power  of  God  through  is>  under  heaven. 


OBJECTIONS     CONSIDERED.  123 

1st.  The  end  is  unquestionably  the  end  of  the  age  (ro(i 
cuuivos — tou  aionos)  of  which  the  disciples  asked  in  verse  3. 

2d.  The  world  (OUCOV/AO^— oikoumenee)  means  habi- 
table, that  is,  the  inhabited  earth. 

3d.  The  gospel  of  the  kingdom  is  the  good  news,  or 
glad  tidings  of  the  kingdom  to  come. 

These  glad  tidings,  it  is  asserted,  shall  be  proclaimed  in 
all  the  inhabited  earth  for  a  witness  unto  all  nations  and 
then  (  TOTC— tote)  shall  come  the  end  of  this  age— or  dis- 
pensation. It  will  be  noticed  that  the  time,  during  which 
the  preaching  shall  continue,  is  determined  entirely  by  the 
qualifying  clause  "for  a  witness  unto  all  nations."  When 
the  witness  is  complete,  then  shall  the  end  come. 

When  the  Witness  Is  Complete. 

Now,  no  finite  mind  can  determine  when  the  witness  is 
complete.  If  we  could,  the  evidence  is  to  the  effect  that 
it  has  passed  already.  For  when  the  gospel  was  preached 
on  the  day  of  Pentecost,  there  were  present  "devout  men 
out  of  every  nation  under  heaven."  Acts  2 :5.  Afterward 
the  disciples  were  scattered  abroad  and  went  about  preach- 
ing the  Word.  Acts  8 :4.  "And  they  went  forth  and 
preached  everywhere."  Mark  16 :20.*  Paul  says,  in  Rom. 
10 :18,  "Their  sound  went  into  all  the  earth,  and  their  words 
unto  the  ends  of  the  world,"*f  (world  here  being  from  the 
same  word  olKovpevr;  —oikoumenee  that  is  used  in  Mat. 
24:14). 

And  again  he  says  in  Col.  l:23*f  that  the  gospel  had 
already  been  "preached  to  every  creature  which  is  under 
heaven." 

These  inspired  statements  as  to  the  universal  preaching 
of  the  gospel  ought  to  be  conclusive.  Mighty  as  it  makes 
the  work  of  the  early  disciples,  I  do  not  see  how  we  can 
refuse  to  accept  it.  (See  Dr.  A.  Clarke  on  Mat.  24:14  as 
to  the  special  point  of  the  universality  of  this  preaching, 
also  the  authorities  previously  cited.)  Surely  we  must 

*See   Bengell's    Gnomon. 

tSee  Jamieson,  Faussett  and  Brown,  aJso  Alford. 


134  JESUS  18  COMING. 

give  no  broader  meaning  to  the  word  olKovp.evrj  (oikoume- 
nee)  used  by  the  Holy  Spirit  in  Mat.  24:14  than  in  Rom. 
10 :18,  or  than  to  the  equally  strong  words  used  in  Col.  1 :6 
and  23.62  If  we  limit  the  one,  we  can,  with  equal  propriety, 
limit  the  other.  Because  we  have  so  full  an  account  of 
Paul's  work,  we  are  apt  to  depreciate  what  was  accom- 
plished by  the  other  Apostles  and  Disciples.  Peter  was  in 
Babylon  (1  Pet.  5:13),  and  tradition  gives  us  account  of 
the  preaching  of  the  gospel  in  Parthia,  India,  Ethiopia, 
Scythia,  Spain  and  Britain. 

So  then  we  may  rest  confidently  on  the  plain  statement 
of  Col.  1:23,  as  being  such  fulfillment  of  Mat.  24:14,  that 
the  Church  from  that  day  to  the  present  has  not  had, 
neither  can  have,  in  this,  any  sign  or  prophesied  event 
standing  between  believers  and  the  Lord's  coming.  If  we 
take  it  upon  ourselves  to  judge  that  the  witness  is  not  com- 
plete, or  more  presumingly,  that  it  cannot  be  complete  for 
centuries  to  come,  then  are  we  foolishly  assuming  a  pre- 
rogative which  belongs  to  God  only. 

Only  God  Knows. 

Surely,  only  God  can  judge  when  the  witness  to  all  na- 
tions is  complete,  and  here  lies  the  essence  of  this  entire 
question.  If  the  Church  is  the  agent  which  is  to  pro- 
claim the  gospel  until  the  witness  is  complete,  no  mortal 
can  judge  but  what  the  witness  shall  be  completed  this 
moment.  But  we  have  no  evidence  that  the  Church  is  the 
only  agent,  and  it  is  quite  probable  that  she  is  not,  for 
we  read  of  another  agent  in  Rev.  14 :6.63 

Therefore  the  witness  may  not  be  completed,  until  after 
the  Church  is  taken  away,  and  this  other  heavenly  mes- 
senger proclaims  the  everlasting  gospel  to  them  that  dwell 
on  the  earth,  even  unto  every  nation  and  tribe  and  tongue 

(62)  Col.  1:6.  Which  Is  come  (63)  Rev.  14:6.  And  I  saw 

unto  you,  as  it  is  in  all  the  another  angel  fly  in  the  midst 

world ;  and  bringeth  forth  fruit,  of  heaven,  having  the  everlast- 

as  it  doth  also  in  you,  since  the  Ing  gospel  to  preach  unto  them 

day  ye  heard  of  it,  and  knew  the  that  dwell  on  the  earth,  and  to 

grace  of  God  In  truth.  every  nation,  and  kindred,  and 

23.  See  page  132.  tongue,  and  people, 


OBJECTIONS    CONSIDERED.  135 

and  people.  Rev.  14:6  (see  Greek).  In  this  case  it  is  not 
the  Church  which  shall  complete  the  witness  and  it  evi- 
dently can  be  no  sign  to  her. 

We  conclude  then  that  like  the  "day  and  hour,"64  it  is 
known  to  God  only,  and  the  Church  can  have  no  definite 
sign  in  it.  Therefore  nothing  is  left  for  us  to  do,  but 
faithfully  to  continue  proclaiming  the  glad  tidings  of  the 
coming  kingdom  while  we  watch  momentarily  for  the  Bride- 
groom. 

No.  XI.    Some  Here  Live  to  See  Kingdom. 

It  is  objected,  that  we  are  taught  in  Mat.  16:28;  Mark 
9 :1,  and  Luke  9 :27,65  that  the  coming  of  Christ,  and  of  the 
kingdom,  should  occur  during  the  lifetime  of  some  of  the 
multitude  (Mar.  8:34)66  to  whom  Jesus  spake,  and  that 
therefore  His  coming  and  kingdom  can  only  be  interpreted 
spiritually,  viz.:  the  establishment  of  the  power  of  the 
gospel  by  the  outpouring  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  on  the  day 
of  Pentecost,  or  as  some  hold,  figuratively,  viz. :  the  destruc- 
tion of  Jerusalem  and  the  Jewish  polity  by  the  Romans, 
and  the  establishment  of  the  Church.  That  is,  as  they 
say,— Christ  came,  by  His  Spirit,  on  the  day  of  Pentecost 
and  manifested  His  power  through  the  disciples,  in  the 
preaching  of  the  gospel,  performing  of  miracles,  etc.,— or, 
He  came  through  the  Roman  army,  destroyed  Jerusalem 
and  overthrew  the  Jewish  polity,— and  that  His  Kingdom 
is  the  Church  over  which  He  now  reigns,  or  (as  some  say) 
in  which  or  through  which  He  now  reigns  over  the  nations 
of  the  earth. 

(64)  Mat.  24  :36.    But  of  that  of  death,  till  they  have  seen  the 
day  and  hour  knoweth  no  man,  kingdom  of  God  come  with  power, 
no,  not  the  angels  of  heaven,  but  Luke  9  :27.     But  I  tell  you  of 
my  Father  only.  a  truth,  there  be  some  standing 

(65)  Mat.    16:28.      Verily    I      here,    which    shall   not   taste    of 
say    unto    you,    There    be    some      death,  till  they  see  the  kingdom 
standing    here,    which    shall    not      of  God. 

taste  of  death,  till  they  -see  the  (66)   Mark   8 :34.     And   when 

Son  of  man  coming  in  his  king-  he    had    called    the   people   unto 

dom.  liim   with,  his   disciples   also,   he 

Mark  9  :1.     And  he  said  unto  said  unto '  them,  Whosoever  will 

them,    Verily    I    say    unto    you,  come  after  me,  let  him  deny  hlm- 

That  there  be  some  o*  them  that  self,  and  take  up  his  cross,  and 

stand  here,  which  shall  not  taste  follow  me. 


136  JESUS  IS  COMING. 

We  answer— The  Holy  Spirit  is  a  distinct  person,  not  to 
be  confounded  with  the  person  of  Christ.  The  Savior  ex- 
pressly said:  "I  will  pray  the  Father  and  He  shall  give 
you  another  comforter"  (John  14:16),  and  if  it  be  another, 
it  cannot  be  Himself.  He,  the  Holy  Spirit,  came  according 
to  the  promises,67  and  it  is  entirely  inconsistent  to  con- 
found this  event  with  Christ's  return,  which  latter  is  in 
accordance  with  other  promises,  that  He  should  Himself 
come  again.  They  are  two  events,  as  distinct  as  the  births 
of  Moses  and  John. 

It  is  true  that  Christ  is  spiritually  with,  or  in,  believ- 
ers,68 and  it  is  just  as  true  that  He  always  has  been, 
and  that  in  this  sense  He  has  never'  left  them,  for  He 
said:  "Lo!  I  am  with  you  alway,"  Mat.  28:20.  Mark 
the  language:  "I  AM  with  you  alway."  He  was  with  them 
during  those  days  of  prayer  previous  to  the  day  of  Pente- 
cost, and  He  has  been  with  His  people  all  the  time.  But 
suddenly  the  (Parakleetos)  Comforter  came,  another  per- 
son and  for  a  special  and  glorious  purpose.  It  is,  therefore, 
conclusive,  that  this  coming  of  the  Holy  Spirit  is  a  mani- 
festation of  the  Divine  presence,  entirely  different  from, 
and  superadded  to,  the  spiritual  presence  of  Christ,  which 
latter,  according  to  His  own  language,  has  never  been  with- 
drawn from  His  people.  He  never  went  away  spiritually, 
but  He  did  go  bodily  and  visibly,  and  in  like  manner  shall 
He  return.69 

(67)  John  14:16.     And  I  will  and  make  our  abode  with  him. 
pray   the    Father,    and    he    shall  JQ^Q    17:23.     I   In  them,   and 
give  you  another  Comforter,  that  thou    in    me,    that   they    may   be 
he  may  abide  with  you  for  ever ;  made    perf ect    in   one ;    and   that 

26.  But   the   Comforter,   which  the   world   may   know   that  thou 

is    the    Holy    Ghost,    whom    the  hast    sent    me,    and    hast    loved 

father    will    send    in    my    name,  them,  as  thou  hast  loved  me. 
he    shall    teach    you    all    things,          (jaj,  4:ig.     My  little  children, 

and  bring  all  things  to  your  re-  of  Whom  i  travail  in  birth  again 

membrance,    whatsoever    I    have  untii  Christ  be  formed  in  you. 

8aiAd,Un^y°U-  (69)  Acts   1:11.     Which  also 

Also  15:26  and  16:7.  Said,    Ye    men    of    Galilee,    why 

(68)  John   14:23.      Jesus   an-  stand  ye  gazing  up  into  heavea? 
swered  and  said  unto  him,  If  a  this   same  Jesus,  which  is  taken 
man   love   me,    he   will   keep   my  up   from  you   into  heaven,   shall 
words :  and  my  Father  will  love  so   come   in    like   manner   as   ye 
him,  and  we  will  come  unto  hiu,  have    seen   him   go    into   heaven. 


OBJECTIONS    CONSIDERED.  137 

Again,  after  the  day  of  Pentecost,  the  disciples  continued 
to  talk  of  the  coming  of  Christ,  which  they  surely  would 
not  have  done  if  His  promise  to  return  was  fulfilled  on  that 
day.  And  after  the  destruction  of  Jerusalem  (about  A.  D. 
71),  St.  John  wrote  the  book  of  Revelation  (about  A.  D. 
96),  in  which  he  repeatedly  speaks  of  the  coming  of  Christ 
as  being  yet  future,  clearly  showing  that  it  could  not  have 
been  fulfilled  in  the  destruction  of  Jerusalem. 

Again,  as  we  have  before  shown,  the  Church  is  not  the 
kingdom,  but  the  body  of  Christ,70  and  His  bride.  Eph.  5. 
She  is  not  to  be  reigned  over,71  but  to  suffer  and  reign 
with  Christ.72  She  is  "to  be  counted  worthy  of  the  King- 
dom of  God  for  which  she  suffers,"73  and  therefore  Paul 
exhorts  the  disciples  (members  of  the  Church)  "that  they 
must  through  much  tribulation  enter  into  the  Kingdom  of 
God"  (Acts  14:22),  and  Peter  stirs  us  up,  putting  us  in 
remembrance  to  add  the  Christian  graces  and  give  all  dili- 
gence to  make  our  calling  and  election  sure,  for  so  an  en- 
trance shall  be  ministered  unto  us  "into  the  everlasting 
kingdom  of  our  Lord  and  Savior,  Jesus  Christ."  2  Pet. 
1:5-11. 

Surely  this  language  plainly  distinguishes  between  the 
Church  and  the  kingdom,  and  as  plainly  asserts  that  the 
kingdom  is  yet  future.  So  we  see  that  both  the  spiritual 
and  figurative  interpretations  of  the  coming  of  Christ  are 
without  foundation. 

Another  theory  has  been  advanced,  viz.:  that  the  com- 
ing of  Christ  in  His  Kingdom  (Mat.  16:28)  was  fulfilled 

(70)  Eph.    1:22.       And    hath  dren,   then   heirs;    heirs   of   God, 
put    all    things    under    his    feet,  and   joint   heirs   with    Christ ;    if 
and  gave  him  to  be  the  head  over  so   be   that   we   suffer  with   him, 
all  things  to  the  church,  that  we  may  be  also  glorified  to- 

23.  Which  is  his  body,  the  ful-  gether. 

ness  of  him  that  filleth  all  in  all.  2  Tim.  2  :12.     If  we  suffer,  we 

(71)  John  15:15.     Henceforth  shall  also  reign  with  him:  if  we 
I  call  you  not  servants ;   for  the  deny  him,  he  also  will  deny  us : 
servant    knoweth    not    what    his  (73)    2  Thes.  1 :5.     Which  is  a 
lord  doeth :  but  I  have  called  you  manifest   token  of  the   righteous 
friends ;    for    all    things'    that    I  judgment   of   God,    that    ye    may 
have  heard  of  my  Father  I  have  be   counted  worthy  of  the  king- 
made  known  unto  you.  dom  of   God,  for  vrhich  ye  also 

(72)  Rom.  8:17.     And  if  chil-  suffer. 


138  JESUS  IS  COMING. 

in  what  they  term  the  spiritual  coining  on  the  day  of 
Pentecost,  —  and  that  His  coming  in  the  clouds  of  heaven, 
in  the  glory  of  His  Father,  with  the  holy  angels,  etc.,  is 
his  real,  personal,  visible  coming  at  the  end  of  the  gospel 
age  (which  they  also  hold  to  be  the  end  of  time  and  of  the 
world). 

This  seems  to  us  to  be  founded  upon  a  mere  distinction 
of  terms,  where  there  is  no  difference  in  fact.  For  is  it  not 
at  His  coming  in  His  Kingdom  that  He  shall  be  mani- 
fested in  His  glory1?74  History  proves—  and  all  our  ideas 
of  the  glory  of  Kings  coincide  with  the  fact  —  that  such 
glory  is  identical  with  the  majesty  and  manifestation  of 
their  kingdoms. 

It  is  in  Christ's  Kingdom  that  He  shall  rule  all  nations 
with  a  rod  of  iron,75  and  it  is  in  His  Kingdom  that  He  is 
to  be  manifested  as  "the  Blessed  and  only  Potentate,  the 
King  of  kings,  and  Lord  of  lords."76  Therefore  His  com- 
ing in  His  Kingdom  and  His  coming  in  His  glory  are 
synonymous,  and  both  are  yet  future. 

Some  of  Them  Did  See  the  Kingdom, 

Then  what  do  the  passages  mean,  to  wit:  Mat.  16:28, 
"verily  I  say  unto  you,  there  be  some  standing  here  which 
shall  not  taste  of  death,  till  they  see  the  Son  of  Man  coming 
in  His  Kingdom,"—  or  as  in  Mark  9  :1,  "till  they  have  seen 
the  Kingdom  of  God  come  with  power,"—  or  as  in  Luke 
0  :27,  "till  they  see  the  Kingdom  of  God." 

We  answer  first,  the  limiting  clause  "shall  not  taste  of 

(74)   2  Thes.  1  :10.     When  he          Also  Rev.  12  :5  and  19  :15. 
«hall  come  to  be  glorified  in  his  ,_-,    ..   _.       fl   ... 


(75)    Psa.    2:8.      Ask   of    me, 

and  I  shall  give  thee  the  heathen  15-  Which    In    his    times    he 

for    thine    inheritance,    and    the  sha11    shew,    who    is   the   blessed 

uttermost  parts  of  the  earth  for  and  only  Potentate,  the  King  of 

thy  possession.  kings,  and  Lord  of  lords. 

9.  Thou  shall  break  them  with  Rev.  19  :16.     And  he  hath  on 

a   rod  of    iron  ;   thou   shalt  dash  his  vesture  and   on   his   thigh   a 

them    in    pieces    like    a   potter's  name  written,  KING  OF  KINGS, 

vessel.  AND  LORD  OF  LORDS. 


OBJECTIONS    CONSIDERED.  139 

death"  may  have  the  deep  signification,  in  which  sense  the 
true  believers,  who  were  standing  there,  shall  never  experi- 
ence it.77  This  is  certainly  the  signification  the  same  lan- 
guage has  in  Heb.  2:9,78  and  if  we  understand  it  likewise 
in  these  passages,  then  we  have  all  eternity  for  the  fulfill- 
ment. However  we  only  suggest  this.  We  do  not  rely 
upon  it,  for  we  believe  the  word  "till"  more  than  intimates 
that  the  "some"  should  taste  of  death,  and  that  therefore 
natural  death  or  separation  of  soul  and  body  was  meant. 

Peter  Saw  It. 

But  now  let  us  mark  well  what  the  "some"  standing 
there  were  to  see,  and  then  let  us  go  up  the  Mount  of 
Transfiguration,  and  gaze  through  the  favored  eyes  of 
Peter,  James  and  John  upon  the  scene  which  is  recorded 
immediately  after  the  passage  we  are  considering.  Behold 
His  face  shining  as  the  sun  and  His  raiment  white  and 
glistening  as  the  snow,  or  as  the  light.  See  Moses  and  Elias 
as  they  appear  in  glory  with  Him,  and  listen  to  the  com- 
munings  of  this  exalted  trio.  Then  bow  in  silent  awe,  as 
the  cloud  of  surpassing  glory  overshadows  them,  and  rever- 
ently listen  to  the  voice  of  God,  the  Father,  saying  "This  is 
my  beloved  Son  in  whom  I  am  well  pleased,  hear  ye  Him." 
No  wonder  that  even  the  favored  and  beloved  disciples 
trembled  with  fear  beneath  this  supernatural  majesty  and 
effulgent  glory.  Surely  this  was  I  AM79  spanning  the 
centuries  and  giving  these  apostles  a  view  of  His  coming 
and  kingdom. 

So  they  understood  it  and  Peter  especially  confirms  it. 

"For,"  he  says,  "we  have  not  followed  cunningly  devised 
fables,  when  we  made  known  unto  you  the  power  and  COM- 

(77)  John  8 :51.     Verily,  verl-  Jesus,    who    waa    made    a    little 
ly,   I  say  unto  you,    if    a    man  lower    than    the   angels    for    the 
keep  my  saying,  he  shall  never  suffering  of  death,  crowned  with 
see  death.  glory    and    honor;    that    He    by 

52.     Then  said  the  Jews  unto  the    grace   of   God    should    taste 

him,    Now   we    know    that  thou  death    for    every    man. 
hast  a  devil.     Abraham  is  dead, 

and  the  prophets  ;  and  thou  say-  (79)    John    8  :58.     Jesus     said 

est,   If  a  man  keep  my   saying,  unto  them,  Verily,  verily,  I  say 

be  shall  never  taste  of  death.  unto  you,  Before  Abraham  was, 

(78)  Heb.   2 :9.      But   we  see  I   am. 


140  JESUS  IS  COMING. 

ING  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  but  were  eye  witnesses  of  His 
majesty.  For  He  received  from  God  the  Father  honor  and 
glory,  when  there  came  such  a  voice  to  Him  from  the  excel- 
lent glory,  This  is  my  beloved  Son,  in  whom  I  am  well 
pleased.  And  this  voice  which  came  from  heaven  we  heard, 
when  we  were  with  Him  in  the  holy  mount."  2  Pet.  1:16-18. 

We  cannot  tell  how  much  of  the  future  they  saw  in  that 
enraptured  hour,  but  doubtless  they  had  a  specific  vision  of 
the  coming  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ  in  His  kingdom  and 
glory. 

John  Saw  It. 

We  have  only  to  turn  to  Revelation,  where  we  finoT 
that  He  "which  is  and  which  was,  and  which  is  to  come'* 
permitted  John  to  see  (Rev.  1:2, 11,  etc.)  it  most  definitely. 
His  enraptured  vision  swept  the  centuries.  Time,  to  him, 
was  annihilated  and  he  gazed  upon  the  literal  facts.  He 
actually  saw  them.  Thirty-six  times  does  he  say  "I  saw," 
seven  times  "I  beheld,"  and  five  times  "I  looked,"  besides 
many  similar  expressions.  And  he  saw  the  very  things 
mentioned  in  the  passages. 

"And  I  SAW  heaven  opened,  and  behold  a  white  horse; 
and  He  that  sat  upon  him  was  called  Faithful  and  Truth, 
and  in  righteousness  He  doth  judge  and  make  war.  His 
eyes  were  as  a  flame  of  fire  and  on  His  head  were  many 

crowns and  He  was  clothed  with  a  vesture  dipped 

in  blood:  and  His  name  is  called  the  Word  of  God.  And  the 
armies  which  were  in  heaven  followed  Him  upon  white 
horses,  clothed  in  fine  linen,  white  and  clean..  .  .  And 
He  hath  on  His  vesture  and  on  His  thigh  a  name  written, 
KING  OF  KINGS  AND  LORD  OF  LORDS. 

He  saw  the  beast  and  kings  of  the  earth  gathered  and 
taken  and  cast  into  the  lake  of  fire.  He  saw  Satan  bound, 
and  he  saw  Christ  and  His  saints  reigning  for  a  thousand 
years.  He  saw  it  all  in  perfect  fulfillment  of  the  statements 
in  the  passages  we  are  considering.  Rev.  19 :20. 

Paul  Saw  It. 

Paul  also  saw  Christ  in  His  glory  and  doubtless  he  saw 
all  that  John  did,  and  probably  more,  for  he  saw  things 
that  it  was  impossible  for  a  man  to  utter.  (2  Cor.  12:4, 
margin.)  Surely  these  are  an  absolute  and  literal  fulfill- 


OBJECTIONS     CONSIDERED.  141 

ment  of  what  Jesus  promised  "some"  should  see,  and  satis- 
factorily explain  the  passages  in.  question. 

Ye  Shall  Not  Have  Gone  Over  the  Cities  of  Israel. 

Another  passage  is  cited  in  support  of  the  above  theories, 
viz. :  the  spiritual  coming  on  the  day  of  Pentecost  or  the 
figurative  coming,  in  the  destruction  of  Jerusalem,  etc.,  and 
that  is  Mat.  10 :23,  "verily  I  say  unto  you  ye  shall  not  have 
gone  over  (or  finish)  the  cities  of  Israel,  till  the  Son  of 
Man  be  come." 

In  regard  to  this  we  answer,  that  this  was  spoken  to  the 
twelve  disciples,  when  Jesus  sent  them  forth  two  by  two, 
with  a  message  especially  for  and  exclusively  to  Israel.  We 
find  from  Mark  6 :30,  and  Luke  9  :10,80  that  they  returned 
to  the  Master,  of  course,  without  finishing  the  cities.  And 
there  is  no  evidence  that  they  ever,  in  like  manner,  renewed 
the  visitation  preaching  the  message  "the  kingdom  of 
heaven  is  at  hand."81  Indeed  they  could  not,  for  Israel 
had  rejected  their  King,  and  the  kingdom  had  become 
like  a  nobleman  which  went  into  a  far  country  to  receive 
for  himself  a  kingdom  and  return.82 

But  from  the  force  of  the  word  "till"  we  believe  that 
the  message  will  be  renewed  (perhaps  by  the  "two  wit- 
nesses" after  the  Church  is  taken  away),  to  the  unbeliev- 
ing Israelites,  who  shall  yet  return  to  their  land  and  re- 
store Judaism,83  and  before  they  shall  have  gone  over 
the  rebuilt  cities,  the  Son  of  Man  shall  appear  again. 

(80)  Mark    6 :30.       And    the  they  heard  these  things,  he  add- 
apostles   gathered  themselves  to-  ed    and    spake    a    parable,    be- 
gether  unto  Jesus,   and  told  him  cause  he  was  nigh  to  Jerusalem, 
all    things,    both   what   they    had  and    because    they    thought    that 
done,  and  what  they  had  taught.  the   kingdom  of  God  should  im- 

Luke  9 :10.     And  the  apostles,  mediately   appear, 

when    they    were    returned,    told  12.  He   said   therefore,   A  cer- 

him  all  that  they  had  done.  And  tain    nobleman   went    into    a   far 

he    took    them,    and    went    aside  country  to  receive  for  himself  a 

privately  into  a  desert  place  be-  kingdom,  and  to  return, 

longing  to   the  city  called   Beth-  (83)    Isa.   40 :9.      O   thou   that 

saida.  tellest  good   tidings   to   Zion,   get 

(81)  Mat.    10:7.      And   as   ye  thee   upon    a   high   mountain;    O 
go,  preach,  saying,  The  kingdom  thou  that  tellest  good  tidings  to 
of  heaven  is  at  hand.  Jerusalem,  lift  up  thy  voice  with 

(82)  Luke     19:11.       And    as  strength;     lift     it     up,     be     not 


U2  JESUS  18  COMING. 

No.  XIL    Gloomy  View  of  the  Future. 

It  is  objected  that  this  doctrine  presents  a  gloomy  vie-* 
of  the  future;  that  "it  is  the  philosophy  of  despair," — 
that  it  stands  opposed  to  the  popular  idea,  viz. :  that  the 
world  is  growing  better,  and  "if  it  is  true,"  it  is  sarcas- 
tically said,  "we  might  as  well  fold  our  hands  and  wait 
for  Christ  to  come." 

We  candidly  think  that  many  who  raise  these  objectiona 
have  altogether  mistaken  the  spirit  and  work  of  pre-mil- 
lennialists. 

We  do  Not  Despair. 

We  neither  despair,  nor  fold  our  hands  to  sleep.  On 
the  contrary,  we  are  filled  with  a  lively  (Greek— living) 
hope  (1  Pet.  1:3),  the  most  "blessed  hope"  (Tit.  2:13), 
while  we  strive  to  save  some  from  this  worldly,  sinful  and 
adulterous  generation,  which  is  nigh  unto  cursing  and 
whose  end  is  to  be  burned.84 

We  would  not  deceive  them  with  the  hallucination  that 
they  are  "growing  better/'  for,  as  the  apostle  has  said, 
"we  know  that  we  are  of  God  and  the  whole  world  lieth 
in  wickedness"  (Greek— in  the  wicked  one),  1  John  5:19— 
and  therefore  we  would  tell  them  in  the  plain  words  of 
Scripture,  that  they  are  in  the  broad  way  that  leadeth  to 
destruction  (Mat.  7:13),  and  that  they  must  repent  or 
perish.  Luke  13 :3.  And  further,  that  this  same  world, 
once  overflowed  by  the  flood,  is  now  "stored  with  fire* 


*See   the  Greek. 


afraid ;    say    unto    the    cities    of  (84)    Gal.      1 :4.      Who      gave 

Judah,  Behold  your  God ;  himself    for    our    sins,    that    he 

10.  Behold    the    Lord   Jehovah  might  deliver  us  from  this  pres- 
will  come  as  a  mighty  one,  and  ent    evil    world     (age),     accord- 
his   arm   will   rule  for  him :    Be-  ing  to  the  will   of  God  and  our 
hold  his  reward  is  with  him,  and  Father. 

his  recompense  before   him.  Heb.     6 :8.       But    that    which 

11.  He  will  feed  his  flock  like  beareth  thorns  and  briers  is  re- 
a    shepherd,    he   will    gather    the  jected,  and  is  nigh  unto  cursing ; 
lambs    in    his    arms,    and    carry  whose  end  is  to  be  burned, 
them     in    his    bosom,    and    will  Mai.    4:1.       For,    behold,    th« 
gently  lead  those  that  have  their  day    cometh    that   shall    burn    as 
young.  an  oven ;  and  all  the  proud,  yea, 


OBJECTIONS     CONSIDERED.  143 

against  the  day  of  judgment  and  perdition  of  ungodly 
men."  2  Pet.  3:5-7. 

We  rejoice  over  every  one  of  those,  who,  by  believing 
the  gospel,  the  good  news  of  the  coming  kingdom,85  are 
saved  from  this  awful  fate  and  made  "joint  heirs  with 
Christ"  (Rom.  8:16-17)  "to  an  inheritance  ...  re- 
served in  heaven  for  us,"  and  "who  are  kept  by  the  power 
of  God  through  faith  unto  salvation,  ready  to  be  revealed 
in  the  last  tune,"  and  who  "hope  to  the  end  for  the  grace 
that  is  to  be  brought  unto"  us  "at  the  revelation  of  Jesus 
Christ."  1  Pet.  1:4-5-13. 

Surely  this  positive  conviction  of  coming  doom  is  a 
mightier  incentive  to  action  than  can  be  the  quieting  fal- 
lacy that  things  are  moving  on  prosperously  and  that  EVEN 

THE    WORLD   IS   GETTING   BETTER. 

And  this  is  clearly  proved  by  the  zeal  and  faithful  work 
of  the  ministers,  evangelists  and  laymen,  who  hold  and 
proclaim  this  doctrine  of  the  pre-millennial  coming  of 
Christ. 

It  is  true  that  they  do  not  expect  the  conversion  of  the 
world  in  this  present  evil  age*  (Gal.  1:4),  but  they  do 
believe  that  a  millennial  age  of  peace  is  coming,  and  they 
do  strive  "in  the  midst  of  a  crooked  and  perverse  genera- 
tion," to  "shine  as  lights  in  the  world  holding  forth  the 
word  of  life"  (Phil.  2:15-16),  that  they  may  snatch  some 
brands  from  the  burning  (Mai.  4:1;  1  Cor.  3:13-15;  Jude 
23),  to  increase  the  godly  company  who  shall  be  ready  to 
welcome  the  Bridegroom.86 

*See  the  Greek. 

and   all    that   do   wickedly,   shall  to    continue    in    the    faith,    and 

be    stubble :    and    the    day    that  that  we  must  through  much  trib- 

cometh  shall  burn  them  up,  saith  illation    enter   into   the   kingdom 

the  Lord  of  hosts,  that   it   shall  ef  God. 

leave     them     neither     root     nor  (86)   Mat.  25:10.     And  while 

branch.  they  went  to  buy,  the  bridegroom 

(85)   Acts   14:21.      And   when  came;   and  they  that  were  ready 

they  had  preached  the  gospel  to  went   in   with   him   to  the   mar* 

that  city,  and  had  taught  many,  riage :  and  the  door  was  shut, 
they    returned    again    to    Lystra,  11.  Afterward    eame    also    the 

and  to  Iconium,  and  Antioch,  other      virgins,      saying,      Lord, 

22.  Confirming    the     souls    of  Lord,  open  to  us. 
the  disciples,  and  exhorting  them  12.  But  he  answered  and  said. 


144 


JESUS  IS  COMING. 


Why,  then,  should  they  be  so  bitterly  opposed  for  pro- 
claiming  this  scriptural  doctrine?  Are  they  not  all  mem- 
bers of  the  body  of  Christ?87  And,  as  such,  do  they  not 
merit  the  warmest  sympathy  and  prayers  of  the  Church? 
Shall  they  be  condemned  because,  like  the  early  Church, 
they  are  holding  the  traditions  (or  teachings  handed  down) 
of  the  apostles,88  and  looking  for  Jesus?89  God  forbid! 
But  let  us  remember  that  "we  be  brethren,"  strangers  and 
pilgrims  (Heb.  11:13),  whose  "citizenship"  is  in  heaven 
(Phil.  3:20).  And  let  us  speak  "the  truth  in  love,"  be 
built  up  in  love  (Eph.  4:15-16),  and  "walk  in  love"  (Eph. 
5:2),  "redeeming  the  time,  because  the  days  are  eviL"90 

The  Days  Are  Evil. 

Yes,  THE  DAYS  ARE  EVIL,  and  we  freely  admit  that  this 
doctrine  does  present  a  gloomy  future  in  the  present  evil 
age,  for  this  world  of  sinners,  who  are  full  of  unbelief 
and  radically  opposed  to  Christ,  His  people  and  His  sal- 
vation.91 They  are  rejecting  God's  gracious  entreaties  for 


Verily   I   say  unto  you,   I  know 
you  not. 

13.  Watch  therefore;  for  ye 
know  neither  the  day  nor  the 
hour  wherein  the  Son  of  man 
cometh. 

(87)  1      Cor.      12:25.      That 
there  should  be  no  schism  in  the 
body ;    but    that    the     members 
should  have  the   same  care  one 
lor  another. 

26.  And  whether  one  member 
suffer,  all  the  members  suffer 
with  it ;  or  one  member  be  hon- 
oured, all  the  members  rejoice 
with  It 

(88)  2  Thes.  2:5.     Remember 
ye    not,    that,    when    I    was    yet 
with     you     I     told     you     these 
things? 

15i  Therefore,  brethren,  stand 
fast,  and  hold  the  traditions 
whicb  ye  have  been  taught, 
whether  by  word,  or  our  epistle. 

(89)  Phil.      3:20.      For      our 
conversation  Is  in  heaven ;  from 
whence    also    we    look    for    the 
Saviour,   the  Lord   Jesus   Christ. 


Heb.  9:28.  So  Christ  was 
once  offered  to  bear  the  sins  of 
many ;  and  unto  them  that  look 
for  him  shall  he  appear  the  sec- 
ond time  without  sin  unto  sal- 
vation. 

Also  Tit.  2:13. 

(90)  Eph.     5:15.      See     the» 
that  ye   walk  circumspectly,  not 
as  fools,  but  as  wise, 

16.  Redeeming  the  time,  be- 
cause the  days  are  evil. 

(91)  2  Cor.  6:14.     Be  ye  not 
unequally    yoked    together    with 
unbelievers ;   for  what  fellowship 
hath  righteousness  with  unright- 
eousness?   and    what  communion 
hath   light  with   darkness? 

15.  And    what    concord    hath 
Christ  and  Belial?  or  what  part 
hath    he   that   believeth   with   an 
infidel? 

16.  And  what  agreement  hath 
the    temple    of    God    with    idols? 
for    ye    are    the    temple    of    the 
living    God ;    as    God    hath    said, 
I  will   dwell   in   them,   and   walk 
in    them;    and    I    will    be    their 


OBJECTIONS     CONSIDERED.  145 

reconciliation,92  and  rushing  madly  on  toward  the  day  of 
wrath.  Rev.  6:15-17. 

But  there  is  no  gloom  in  the  future  for  those  "who  have 
fled  for  refuge  to  lay  hold  on  the  hope  set  before  us/'93 
and  "who  have  received  the  Spirit  of  adoption,"  become 
"children"  and  "heirs  of  God  and  joint  heirs  with  Christ 
.  .  .  For  I  reckon  that  the  sufferings  of  this  present 
time  are  not  worthy  to  be  compared  with  the  glory  that 
shall  be  revealed  in  us."  Rom.  8:15-18. 

There  seems  to  be  a  prevailing  disposition  to  balance 
up  the  good  and  the  bad  in  the  world  by  a  process  of  gen- 
eral average,  in  which  the  triumphs  of  art  and  science, 
the  progress  in  inventions,  discoveries,  etc.,  are  counted  as 
moral  goodness,  and  it  is  concluded  that  the  world,  on  the 
average,  is  growing  better. 

But  this  is  utterly  fallacious  and,  we  fear,  a  grand  de- 
ception of  Satan. 

The  Church  and  the  World. 

First,  there  is  no  such  thing  as  averaging  together  the 
true  church  and  the  world.  There  is  no  possible  consan- 
guinity. The  one  is  "from  beneath,"— the  other  "from 
above."  The  one  "is  of  this  world," — the  other  "not  of 
this  world."  John  8:23.  They  must  not  be  yoked  to- 
gether, for  there  is  no  fellowship,  communion,  concord, 
part  or  agreement  between  them.  They  are  and  always 

God,  and  they  shall  be  my  peo-  are  In  the  world.  If  any  man 
pie.  love  the  world,  the  love  of  the 

17.  Wherefore   come  out   from      Father   Is  not  in  him. 

among    them,    and    be    ye    sepa-  Also    John     14 :18-22,    16 :33, 

rate,   saith   the   Lord,   and   touch  17 :14,     James     4 :14,     1     John 

not    the    unclean    thing;    and    I  5 :19. 

will   receive   you,  (92)   2  Cor.  5:20.     Now  then 

18.  And  will  be  a  Father  unto  we   are    ambassadors   for    Christ, 
you,  and  ye  shall  be  my  sons.  as   though    God   did   beseech   you 

Eph.   5  :11.     And  have  no  fel-  by  us :  we  pray  you  in   Christ's 

lowshlp      with       the      unfruitful  stead,  be  ye  reconciled  to  God. 
•works  of  darkness,  but  rather  re-          21.  For  he  hath  made  him  to 

prove  them.  "be  sin  for  us,  who  knew  no  fain ; 

12.  For  it  Is  a  shame  even  to  that    we    might    be     made    the 

speak  of  those  things  which  are  righteousness  of  God  in  him. 
done   of  them   in   secret.  (93)    Heb.  6:14.     That  by  two 

1    John    2 :15.      Love   not    the  immutable    things,    in    which    it 

•world,    neither    the    tilings    that  too?    impossible    for   God    to   lie, 


146 


JESUS  IS  COMING. 


must  be  separate.*  The  true  church  is  in  the  world,  but 
not  of  it.94  There  are  three  parties  in  the  world,  viz.: 
the  Jew,  the  Gentile  and  the  Church  of  God.95  As  the 
Jews  were  a  separate,  called-out  and  peculiar  people,90 
not  to  be  reckoned  among  the  nations,97  so  is  this  true 
church  a  separate  and  peculiar  people,98  called  unto  cleans- 
ing and  holiness,99  sealed  by  the  Spirit  of  God,  unto  the 
day  of  redemption  (Eph.  4:30),  no  longer  darkness,  but 
"children  of  light,"  and  exhorted  to  "have  no  fellowship 
with  the  unfruitful  works  of  darkness"  (Eph.  5:8-11).  They 
are  of  God,  while  the  whole  world  lies  in  the  wicked 
one.100  There  is  an  irrepressible  conflict  between  them — 


we  might  have  a  strong  con- 
solation, who  have  fled  for  refuge 
to  lay  hold  upon  the  hope  set 
before  us : 

19.  Which  hope  we  have  as  an 
anchor    of    the    soul,    both    sure 
and  steadfast,   and  which  enter- 
eth  into  that  within  the  vail ; 

20.  Whither  the  forerunner  is 
for  us  entered,  even  Jesus,  made 
a  high  priest  for  ever  after  the 
order  of  Melchisedec. 

(94)  John    17:11.      And  now 
I  am  no  more  in  the  world,  but 
these   are   in   the   world,    and    I 
come    to     thee.       Holy     Father, 
keep    through    thine    own    name 
those  whom  thou  hast  given  me, 
that  they  may  be  one,  as  we  are. 

15.  I     pray     not     that     thou 
shouldest  take  them   out   of  the 
world,    but    that   thou    shouldest 
keep  them  from  the  evil. 

16.  They  are  not  of  the  world, 
even   as   I   am  not  of  the  world. 

*  See  (91)  pg.  144. 

(95)  1  Cor.  10  :32.     Give  none 
offence,  neither  to  the  Jews,  nor 
to  the  Gentiles,  nor  to  the  church 
Of  God. 

(96)  Ex.    19:5.      Now   there- 
fore,  if   ye   will   obey   my   voice 
indeed,    and    keep    my    covenant, 
then  ye  shall  be  a  peculiar  treas- 
ure  unto    me    above    all    people : 
for  all  the  earn  is  mine. 

6.  And  ye  shall  be  unto  me  a 
kingdom  of  priests,  and  an  holy 


nation.  These  are  the  words 
which  thou  shalt  speak  unto  the 
children  of  Israel. 

Ex.  33  :16.  For  wherein  shall 
it  be  known  here  that  I  and  thy 
people  have  found  grace  to  thy 
sight?  Is  it  not  in  that  thou 
goest  with  us?  so  shall  we  be 
separated,  I  and  thy  people,  from 
all  the  people  that  are  upon  the 
face  of  the  earth. 

Also  Deut.  7:6,  Psa.  135:4. 

(97)  Num.    23 :9.      For    from 
the  top  of  the  rocks  I   see  him, 
and  from  the  hills  I  behold  him: 
lo,  the  people  shall  dwell  alone, 
and  shall  not  be  reckoned  among 
the  nations. 

(98)  Tit.     2:14.       Who    gave 
himself    for    us,    that    he    might 
redeem  us  from  all  iniquity,  and 
purify    unto    himself    a    peculiar 
people,  zealous  of  good  works. 

1  Pet.  2 :9.  But  ye  are  a 
chosen  generation,  a  royal  priest- 
hood, a  holy  nation,  a  peculiar 
people ;  that  ye  should  shew  forth 
the  praises  of  him  who  hath 
called  you  out  of  darkness  into 
his  marvellous  light. 

(99)  2     Cor.      7:1.        Having 
therefore   these  promises,    dearly 
beloved,  let  us  cleanse  ourselves 
from    all    fllthiness    of    the    flesh 
and  spirit,  perfecting  holiness1  in 
the  fear   of  God. 

Also  Eph.  5:25-27. 

(100)  1  John  5:19.  We  know 


OBJECTIONS     CONSIDERED.  147 

no  possible  harmony  exists.  On  the  contrary,  their  prin- 
ciples and  tendencies  are  absolutely  opposite.  It  is  there- 
fore entirely  inconsistent  that  they  should  be  spoken  of 
as  forming  one  general  mass. 

Art,  Science  and  Invention. 

Second,  the  triumphs  of  art  and  science,  the  progress 
in  inventions,  discoveries,  etc.,  by  no  means  argue  an  in- 
crease in  godliness. 

Many  of  the  acknowledged  leaders  today  in  science  and 
philosophy — yes,  even  those  who  rank  the  very  highest 
among  them,  are  positive  infidels.  And  very  many  more, 
who  disclaim  absolute  infidelity,  deny  the  divinity  of  Jesus 
Christ. 

It  is  strange,  indeed,  that  the  Christian  optimists,  in 
their  noisy  trumpetings  of  the  strides  of  science,  should 
lose  sight  of  this  momentous  fact.  And  history  bears  a 
similar  testimony.  The  power,  splendor  and  wisdom  of 
David  and  Solomon  were  followed  by  the  idolatry  and 
innocent  blood  of  Ahab  and  Manasseh,  resulting  in  the 
overthrow  of  Jerusalem  and  the  Babylonish  captivity. 

The  temple,  built  by  Herod,  was  one  of  the  grandest 
works  of  art.  It  fairly  flashed  with  splendor,  and  the 
temple  service  was  conducted  on  a  magnificent  scale.  The 
Jews  of  his  time  enjoyed  great  privileges  in  literature  and 
learning,  and  yet  they  crucified  the  Lord  Jesus. 

The  Greeks  rose  to  a  pinnacle  of  triumph  in  literature, 
poetry  and  art,  and  yet  they  failed  by  wisdom  to  find  out 
God.  To  them  he  Was  the  unknown  God.101  See  how 
plainly  this  is  brought  out  in  1  Cor.  chapters,  1,  2  and  3: 
"For  after  that,  in  the  wisdom  of  God,  the  world  by  wis- 
dom knew  not  God,  it  pleased  God  by  the  foolishness  of 
preaching  to  save  them  that  believe"  (1:21).  The  trouble 
is  not  with  the  heads,  but  with  the  hearts  of  men.  No 
matter  how  great  the  learning,  man  must  have  a  new 

that    we    are    of    God,    and    the  tions,  I  found  an  altar  with  this 

whole    world    lieth    In    the    evil  inscription,  TO  THE  UNKNOWN 

one.  GOD.      Whom    therefore    ye    ig- 

(101)   Acts  17:23.     For  as  I  norantly  worship,  him  declare  I 

passed  by,  and  beheld  your  devo-  unto  you. 


148  JESD8  18  COMING. 

heart,  and  this  is  obtained  not  by  education,  but  by  the 
operation  of  the  Spirit  of  God.  It  was  not  many  wise  men 
after  the  flesh  who  received  the  grace  of  God  in  Corinth, 
but  the  simple  and  the  despised.  "I  thank  Thee,  0  Father, 
Lord  of  heaven  and  earth,"  said  Jesus,  "that  thou  hast  hid 
these  things  from  the  wise  and  prudent  (discerning  ones) 
and  hast  revealed  them  unto  babes."  Luke  10 :21. 

The  world,  then,  by  "wisdom"  or  "philosophy"  (Col.  2: 
8),  or  "science  falsely  so  called"  (1  Tim.  6:20),  can  never 
find  out  God.  Indeed,  we  have  a  clear  evidence  of  this  in 
the  rationalism,  infidelity  and  atheism  of  our  day.  No 
matter  how  refined  and  polished  is  their  garb  or  the  deli- 
cacy with  which  they  may  be  set  forth,  still  they  are  only 
the  poisonous  deceptions  of  him  who  can  appear  as  "an 
angel  of  light."102  The  truth  is  that  Satan  is  the  arch 
enemy  of  God,  and  the  world,  in  this  present  evil  age  (Gal. 
1:4),  is  in  his  power  (1  John  5:19),  so  that  he  besets  the 
people  of  God  with  his  "wiles,"  and  arrays  against  them 
"principalities  ....  powers  ....  and  the  rulers  of  the 
darkness  of  this  world."  Eph.  6:11-13.  Therefore  the 
Christian  must  "love  not  the  world,  neither  the  things 
that  are  in  the  world.  If  any  man  love  the  world,  the 
love  of  the  Father  is  not  in  him.  For  all  that  is  in  the 
world,  the  lust  of  the  flesh,  and  the  lust  of  the  eyes,  and 
the  pride  of  life,  is  not  of  the  Father,  but  is  of  the  world." 
1  John  2 :15-16. 

The  World  Not  Growing  Better. 

Surely,  then,  this  wicked  world,  which  is  so  radically 
opposed  to  God,  and  under  the  present  control  of  His 
arch  enemy,  is  not  growing  better.  On  the  contrary, 
judgment,  fire  and  perdition  are  before  it.108  Perilous 

(102)    2  Cor.  11:13.     For  such  transformed   as   the  ministers   of 

are      false      apostles,      deceitful  righteousness ;    whose    end    shall 

workers,  transforming  themselves  be  according  to  their  works. 

Into  the  apostles  of  Christ.  (103)   2    Pet.    2.      And    many 

14.  And   no   marvel ;    for   Sa-  shall     follow     their     pernicious 

tan   himself   is   transformed   into  ways ;    by    reason    of    whom    the 

an  angel  of  light.  way  of  truth  shall  be  evil  spoken 

16.  Therefore   it   is   no    great  of. 

thing    it   his    ministers    also    be  3.  And    through    covetousnesa 


OBJECTIONS     CONSIDERED.  149 

times  are  coming.104  "Evil  men  and  seducers  shall  wax 
worse  and  worse,  deceiving  and  being  deceived."  The 
tares,  which  naturally  grow  much  faster  than  the  wheat, 
shall  continue  up  to  the  harvest.  Mat.  13:40.  "The  mys- 
tery of  iniquity"  which  already  worked  in  the  days  of 
the  apostles,  shall  culminate  in  "the  man  of  sin,"  the  per- 
sonal antichrist,  whom  even  the  mass  of  the  Jews  will  re- 
ceive,105 and  who  will  be  so  great  and  rule  with  such  uni- 
versal authority  that  he  is  to  be  destroyed  only  by  the 
personal  appearing  of  the  Lord  Himself.106 

There  is  no  hope,  then,  for  the  world,  but  in  the  coming 
of  Christ  the  King.  And,  praised  be  God  for  the  prom- 
ises, the  Lord  will  come  at  the  end  of  this  age.  Antichrist 
will  be  destroyed.106  All  things  that  offend  shall  be  gath- 
ered out,107  and  the  Millennial  Kingdom  of  righteous- 
ness shall  be  established  on  the  earth.  So,  while  there  is 
a  gloomy  prospect  for  the  world  during  this  evil  age,  there 
is  a  bright  and  glorious  prospect  during  the  coming  mil- 
lennial age. 

shall    they    with    feigned    words  (106)   2  Thes.  2:8.     And  then 

make  merchandise  of  you :  whose  shall    that    Wicked    be    revealed, 

judgment    now    of    a    long    time  whom    the    Lord    shall    consume 

lingereth  not,   and  their  damna-  with  the  spirit  of  his  mouth,  and 

tion    slumbereth   not.  shall  destroy  with  the  brightness 

2  Pet.  3  :7.     But  the  heavens  of  his  coming : 
and   the   earth,    which   are   now, 

by   the   same   word   are  kept    in  °-  Even  "Mm,  whose  coming  Is 

store,   reserved   unto  fire  against  after  tne  working  of  Satan  with 

the  day  of  judgment  and  perdi-  a11    power    and   signs    and   lying 

tion  of  ungodly  men.  wonders, 

Also  Jude  7,  Mark  9  :43-48.  Also  Rev    19  .20 

(104)  1   Tim.   4:1.     Now   the 

Spirit    speaketh    expressly,    that  (107)    Matt.  13:41.     The  Son 

In    the    latter   times   some    shall  of  man  shall  send  forth  his  an- 

depart    from    the    faith,     giving  gels,    and   they   shall   gather  out 

heed  to  seducing  spirits,  and  doc-  of   his    kingdom    all    things    that 

trines  of  devils ;  offend,    and    them    which    do    in- 

2  Tim.  3  :1.     This  know  also,  Iquity ; 
that    in    the    last    days    perilous 
times   shall    come.  42-   And   sha11   cast  them   into 

(105)  John  5:43.     I  am  come  a  ^nace  of  fire:  there  shall  be 
in  my  Father's  name,  and  ye  re-  wailing  and  gnashing  of  teeth, 
ceive  me   not :    if   another   shall  43.    Then   shall    the   righteous 
come   in  his  own  name,  him  ye  shine    forth    as   the    sun    in .  th« 
Will  receive.  kingdom   of  their  Father.     Who 

Also  Isa.   28  :15-22.  hath  ears  to  hear,  let  him  hear. 


150  JESUS  IS  COMING. 


Civilization  and  Beneficent  Institutions. 

But  perhaps  it  is  still  insisted  that  the  world  has  made 
great  progress  in  civilization  and  refinement,  in  benevo- 
lence, in  personal  liberty,  international  fraternity,  Chris- 
tian work,  etc.  In  proof  of  this,  the  abrogation  of  slavery 
is  cited;  also  the  cessation  of  the  inquisition  and  martyr- 
dom, the  establishment  of  charitable  institutions,  the  great 
postal  and  commercial  means  of  communication,  built  upon 
the  agencies  of  steam  and  lightning;  the  right  of  trial  by 
jury,  international  arbitration,  missionary  triumphs,  etc. 

Well,  first  of  all  we  answer  that  Civilization  and  Ee- 
finement  are  not  the  Source  of  Holiness.  They  may  ele- 
vate the  head,  while  the  heart  is  untouched.  The  gilded 
palace  of  sin  is  as  certainly  the  gateway  to  hell  as  the 
darkest  den  of  vice. 

The  cultured  and  scientific  atheist  is  as  surely  in  the 
service  of  Satan  as  the  thief  or  the  murderer.  Jesus  Him- 
self classed  them  all  together  when  He  said,  "He  that  is 
not  with  Me  is  against  Me."  Mat.  12 :30.  So  it  matters 
not  how  much  more  like  an  angel  of  light  the  serpent  may 
appear,  nor  how  civilized  and  refined  the  world  may  be. 

Satan  is  the  devil  still. 

And  the  world  is  still  the  world. 

His  manifestations  and  methods  may  be  changed,  but 
the  spirit  of  darkness  is  the  same.  And  accordingly  we 
see  that  while  slavery  is  disappearing,  communism,  social- 
ism and  nihilism  are  lifting  their  godless,  headless  forms. 
And  darker  are  their  forebodings  than  were  even  the  days 
of  the  inquisition  and  martyrdom.  Oppressing  monopo- 
lies, systematic  peculation  and  fraud  are  parallel  with 
charitable  institutions.  The  mails,  so  useful  for  news  and 
correspondence,  afford  a  most  convenient  agency  for  dis- 
seminating the  flood  of  obscene  literature  which  is  blasting 
the  morals  of  the  young.  Trial  by  jury  has  too  often 
proved  a  mere  farce,  in  which  the  criminal  escapes.  The 
nation  which  opened  the  way  for  the  missionary  also 
forced  upon  the  teeming  millions  of  China  the  awful 
curse  of  opium. 


OBJECTIONS     CONSIDERED.  151 

While  missionary  efforts  have  been  greatly  blessed 
abroad  (and  praise  God  that  they  have),  infallibility, 
ritualism,  skepticism  and  desecration  of  the  Lord's  day 
have  more  than  equally  triumphed  at  home.  And  let  it 
not  be  forgotten  that  the  monstrous  assumption  of  infalli- 
bility has  triumphed  in  what  was  once  an  apostolic  church 
of  Christ. 

The  past  century  has  had  its  full  share  of  war  and  car- 
nage. Numerous,  dark  and  fearful  have  been  the  fields 
of  blood  up  to  this  very  year.  In  short,  Satan  is  on  the 
alert  and  fully  up  to  the  times,  multiplying  his  deceptions 
on  either  hand,  as  he  will  continue  to  do,  until  chained  by 
the  angel  at  the  beginning  of  the  Millennium.108 

Is  the  Church  Progressing? 

Lastly,  it  is  argued  that,  as  Christians  are  the  light  of 
the  world  and  the  salt  of  the  earth,109  the  greatly  in- 
creased number  of  professed  Christians  must  certainly  have 
augmented  the  light  and  the  salt,  and  consequently  have 
made  the  world  better. 

Jesus  was  indeed  the  light  of  the  world,  but  He  shone  in 
the  darkness  and  the  darkness  comprehended  it  not.  Men 
loving  and  clinging  to  the  darkness,  because  their  deeds 
were  evil,  would  not  see  the  light,  and  were  not  made  bet- 
ter by  it.110  So  true  Christians,  reflecting  the  light  from 

(108)  Rev.  20:1.     And  I  saw  salt  have  lost  his  savour,  where- 
an      angel      come      down      from  with    shall    It    be    salted?    it    is 
heaven,    having   the    key    of    the  thenceforth  good  for  nothing,  but 
bottomless  pit  and  a  great  chain  to  be  cast  out,  and  to  be  trodden 
In   his  hand.  under  foot  of  men. 

2.  And    he    laid    hold    on    the          Phil.   2 :15.     That  ye  may  be 
dragon,   that   old    serpent,   which  blameless  and  harmless,  the  sons 
is    the    Devil,     and    Satan,    and  of   God,    without    rebuke,    in    the 
bound  him  a  thousand  years,  midst  of  a  crooked  and  perverse 

3.  And  cast  him  into  the  bot-  nation,  among  whom  ye  shine  as 
tomless    pit,    and    shut    him    up,  lights  in  the  world. 

and    set   a    seal   upon    him,    that  (110)    John  1:4.     In  him  was 

he  should  deceive  the  nations  no  life ;   and  the  life  was  the  light 

more,    till    the    thousand    years  of  men. 

should  be  fulfilled ;  and  after  5.  And  the  light  shineth  in 
that  he  must  be  loosed  a  little  darkness  ;  and  the  darkness  corn- 
season,  prehended  it  not. 

(109)  Mat.  5:13.     Ye  ane  the  John    3:19.      And   this    is    the 
salt    of    the    earth :    but    if    the  condemnation,  that  light  is  come 


152  JESUS  IS  COMING. 

heaven,  only  intensify  the  darkness  about  them.  The  dark- 
ness is  still  darkness  and  cannot  be  improved.  The  sinner 
must  forsake  it  and  come  to  the  light,  or  he  can  never  be 
saved. 

Losing  the  Saltness. 

Let  us  notice  carefully  that  Jesus  speaks  of  the  salt 
losing  its  saltness  and  becoming  good  for  nothing,  and  He 
also  intimates  that  the  light  may  be  hid  under  a  bushel. 
And  therefore  He  exhorts,  "Have  salt  in  yourselves."  Mark 
9:50.  Evidently  the  Jews  lost  their  "savour"  (Mat.  5:13) 
and  "were  broken  off."111  This  leads  to  the  solemn  query, 
is  the  professing  Church  progressing  or  declining  in  f  aitr 
and  spiritual  life? 

The  kingdom  in  mystery,112  or  the  state  of  Christendom 
until  Christ  comes  again,  is  taught  us,  we  believe,  by  the 
parables  of  Mat.  13. 

The  Parables. 

"The  parable  of  the  Sower  shows  the  varied  and  imper- 
fect reception  of  the  Word.  The  parable  of  the  Tares 
shows  the  early  and  continued  effects  of  Satan's  presence 
among  the  saints.  The  parable  of  the  Mustard-seed  shows 
outward  growth  sheltering  evil.  The  parable  of  the  Leaven 
shows  the  gradual  and  utter  corruption  of  the  truth.  The 
parable  of  the  Treasure  hid  in  a  field  shows  what  Israel 
is  to  be  in  the  world.  The  parable  of  the  Pearl  of  great 
price  shows  what  the  Church  is  to  Christ.  And  the  parable 
of  the  Dragnet  shows  the  cleansing  of  the  kingdom  at  His 
second  coming." 

into   the   world,    and   men   loved  by    faith.      Be    not    highminded, 

darkness    rather    than    light,    be-  but  fear : 

cause  their  deeds  were  evil.  21.   For  if  God  spared  not  the 

20.  For   every  one   that   doeth  natural  branches,  take  heed  lest 
evil    hateth    the    light,    neither  he  also  spare  not  thee. 
cometh    to    the    light,     lest    his  (112)    Mat.    13:10.      And    the 
deeds   should    be   reproved.  disciples    came,    and    said    unto 

21.  But    he    that    doeth    truth  him,    Why    speakest    thou    unto 
cometh    to    the    light,    that    his  them  in  parables? 

deeds    may    be    made    manifest,  11.  He  answered  and  said  unto 

that  they  are  wrought  in  God.  them,    Because    it   is    given   unto 

(111)    Rom.  11 :20.     Well ;  be-  you    to    know    the    mysteries    of 

cause     of     unbelief     they     were  the   kingdom   of   heaven,    but  to 

broken    off,    and    thou    standest  them  it  is  not  given. 


OBJECTIONS     CONSIDERED. 


153 


The  Leaven. 

There  is,  perhaps,  but  little  opposition  to  this  interpreta- 
tion of  the  parables,  excepting  that  of  the  Leaven,  which 
has  quite  extensively  been  interpreted  to  teach  exactly  the 
opposite,  viz. :  that  the  power  and  influence  of  the  gospel  or 
Christian  life  is  to  permeate  the  masses  of  the  world, 
until  the  whole  is  leavened  into  holiness.  The  inconsistency 
of  this  is  seen  when  we  consider  that  precisely  the  contrary 
is  taught  by  the  parable  of  the  sower  and  the  tares,  each 
of  which  most  undisputedly  shows  that  evil  is  to  continue 
and  grow  up  to  the  end  of  the  age.  This  is  surely  the  most 
sufficient  and  scriptural  reason  for  assigning  the  same 
typical  meaning  to  the  Leaven,  in  this  and  the  correlative 
passage,113  which  we  find  it  to  bear  in  the  numerous  other 
passages,  where  the  same  word  is  used,  viz. :  the  corrupting 
influence  of  e.vil  and  the  symbol  of  death.  See  carefully 
Mat.  16 I6-12.11* 


(113)  Luke  13:20.  And  again 
he  said,  Whereunto  shall  I  liken 
the  kingdom  of  God? 

21.  It  is  like  leaven,  which 
a  woman  took  and  hid  in  three 
measures  of  meal,  till  the  whole 
was  leavened. 

(114)  Mat.    16:6.      Then   Je- 
sus   said  unto   them,    Take   heed 
and  beware  of  the  leaven  of  the 
Pharisees  and  of  the  Sadducees. 

7.  And    they    reasoned    among 
themselves,  saying,  It  is  because 
we  have  taken  no  bread. 

8.  Which     when     Jesus     per- 
ceived, he  said  unto  them,  O  ye 
of    little    faith,    why    reason    ye 
among    yourselves,     because    ye 
have  brought  no  bread? 

11.  How   is   it  that  ye  do  not 
understand    that    I    spake   it   not 
to  you  concerning  bread,  that  ye 
should   beware   of   the   leaven    of 
the    Pharisees    and    of    the    Sad- 
ducees? 

12.  Then  understood  they  how 
that   he    bade    them    not    beware 
of   the    leaven  of   bread,  but   of 


the  doctrine  of  the  Pharisees  and 
of  the  Sadducees. 

Mark  8  :15.  And  he  charged 
them,  saying,  Take  heed,  beware 
of  the  leaven  of  the  Pharisees, 
and  of  the  leaven  of  Herod. 

Luke  12  :1.  In  the  mean  time, 
when  there  were  gathered  to- 
gether an  innumerable  multitude 
of  people,  insomuch  that  they 
trode  one  upon  another,  he  be- 
gan to  say  unto  his  disciples  first 
of  all,  Beware  ye  of  the  leaven 
of  the  Pharisees,  which  is  hy- 
pocrisy. 

1  Cor.  5  :6.  Your  glorying  is 
not  good.  Know  ye  not  that  a 
little  leaven  leaveneth  the  whole 
lump? 

7.  Purge  out  therefore  the  old 
leaven,    that    ye    may   be   a   new 
lump,  as  ye  are  unleavened.     For 
even  Christ  our  passover  is  sac- 
rificed for  us : 

8.  Therefore    let    us    keep    the 
feast,  not  with  old  leaven,  neither 
with    the    leaven    of    malice    and 
wickedness ;    but    with    the    un- 


154  JESUS  IS  OOMING. 

Here  then  we  'are  most  emphatically  taught  not  only  that 
the  world  is  growing  no  better,  but  that  the  professing 
Church  itself  will  lose  its  saltness,  becoming  nominal  and 
lukewarm,  fit  only  to  be  spued  out  of  the  Master's  mouth.116 
The  entire  teaching  of  the  Word  of  God,  we  believe,  agrees 
with  this. 

And  we  have  but  to  take  an  unprejudiced  survey  of  the 
Church  even  now,  to  see  the  truth  of  it.  The  loss  of  spiri- 
tual power  in  the  different  branches  of  the  great  nominal 
Church  has  not  resulted  from  the  casting  out  of  truth, 
but  from  the  imbibing  and  internal  workings  of  false  doc- 
trine, which,  like  leaven,  has  fermented  the  mass.  Little 
by  little  the  ordinary  bishop  of  Rome  has  developd  into  an 
infallible  Pope.  Image  worship,  the  confessional,  world 
conformity  and  post-millennialism  have  all  worked  out  their 
enormous  growth  like  the  little  leaven  in  the  meal. 

How  do  the  great  Papal  and  Greek  churches,  in  their 
stateliness,  formality,  popularity  and  spiritual  weakness  of 
to-day,  compare  with  the  despised  Nazarene  and  his  follow- 
ers,116 or  with  the  persecuted,  consecrated  and  godly  con- 
gregations (ekkleesias)  of  the  first  two  centuries? 

And  are  not  the  present  evangelical  denominations,  by 
worldly  conformity  and  increeping  doubts  regarding  the 
inspiration  of  the  Word,  etc.,  dangerously  tending  in  the 
same  direction?  How  very  few  of  the  members  in  them  are 
to-day  crying  out  for  separation  and  holiness.  Surely,  no 
one  can  fail  to  see  the  corrupting  influences  of  the  leaven 
permeating  them. 

We  realize  that  this  is  an  awful  fact.  It  is  not  even 
pleasant  to  state  it.  But,  while  Noah's  preaching  was  not 
pleasant  to  them  that  heard  it,  still  it  was  true  and  the 

leavened   bread  of   sincerity   and  (115)    Rev.  3:16.     So  then  be- 

truth.  cause    thou    art    lukewarm,    and 

Gal.    5  :7.      Ye    did   run    well ;  neither  cold  nor  hot,  I  will  spew 

who     did    hinder    you     that    ye  thee  out  of  my  mouth, 
should  not  obey  the  truth?  (116)   1  John  4:17.     Herein  Is 

8.  This  persuasion  cometh  not  our    love   made    perfect,    that  we 
of  him  that  calleth  you.  may  have  boldness  in  the  day  of 

9.  A    little    leaven    leaveneth  judgment:   because  as  be  is,  so 
the  whole  lump.  are  we  in  this  world. 


OBJECTIONS     CONSIDERED. 


155 


flood  did  come.  Likewise  the  prophesying  of  Jeremiah 
was  exceedingly  unpleasant,  but  it  was  true  and  was  fol- 
lowed by  the  terrible  fate  of  the  city,  and  the  Babylonian 
captivity.  The  preaching  of  Jesus  was  at  times  of  fearful 
severity,117  but  was  it  not  true?  So  would  we  humbly  yet 
faithfully  proclaim  the  Word  of  God.  We  would  "cry 
aloud  and  spare  not,"118  fully  believing  that,  upon  an  apos- 


(117)  Mat.  11:20.  Then  Be- 
gan be  to  upbraid  tbe  cities 
wherein  most  of  bis  migbty 
works  were  done,  because  they 
repented  not: 

21.  Woe  unto  thee.  Cborazin ! 
woe    unto    thee,    Bethsaida !    for 
if  the  mighty  works,  which  were 
done   in   you,   had    been    done   in 
Tyre  and  Sidon,  they  would  have 
repented    long   ago    in   sackcloth 
and  ashes. 

22.  But    I    say   unto    you.    It 
shall  be  more  tolerable  for  Tyre 
and   Sidon   at  the   day   of  judg- 
ment,  than  for  you. 

23.  And      thou,       Capernaum, 
which    art    exalted   unto    heaven, 
shalt  be   brought   down   to   hell : 
for  if   the   mighty   works,   which 
have  been  done  in  thee,  had  been 
done    in    Sodom,    it    would    have- 
remained  until  this  day. 

24.  But  I  say  unto  you,  That 
it    shall    be    more    tolerable    for 
the  land  of  Sodom  in  the  day  of 
judgment,  than  for  thee. 

Mat.  18 :7.  Woe  unto  the 
•world  because  of  offences !  for  it 
must  needs  be  that  offences 
come ;  but  woe  to  that  man  by 
whom  the  offence  cometh ! 

8.  Wherefore   if  thy  hand   or 
thy    foot   offend   thee,    cut   them 
off,    and    cast    them    from   thee : 
It  is  better  for  thee  to  enter  in- 
to  life   halt   or   maimed,    rather 
than    having   two   hands    or   two 
feet  to  be  cast   into   everlasting 
fire. 

9.  And  If  thine  eye  offend  thee, 
pluck   It   out,    and   cast   it  from 


thee :  it  is  better  for  thee  to  en- 
ter into  life  with  one  eye. 

Mat.  23 :13.  But  woe  unto 
you,  scribes  and  Pharisees,  hypo- 
crites !  for  ye  shut  up  the  king- 
dom of  heaven  against  men :  for 
ye  neither  go  in  yourselves,  nei- 
ther suffer  ye  them  that  are  en- 
tering to  go  in. 

14.  Woe  unto  you,  scribes  and 
Pharisees,  hypocrites !  for  ye  de- 
vour widows'   houses,    and   for  a 
pretence      make      long      prayer : 
therefore    ye    shall    receive    the 
greater  damnation. 

15.  Woe  unto  you,  scribes  and 
Pharisees,     hypocrites !      for     ye 
compass   sea   and   land   to   make 
one    proselyte ;    and   when    he   is 
made,  ye  make  him  twofold  more 
the  child  of  hell  than  yourselves. 

27.  Woe  unto  you,  scribes  and 
Pharisees,  hypocrites  !  for  ye  are 
like  un«x>  whited  sepulchres, 
which  indeed  appear  beautiful 
outward,  but  are  within  full  of 
dead  men's  bones,  and  of  all 
uncleanness. 

31.  Wherefore  ye  be  witnesses 
unto  yourselves,  that  ye  are  the 
children  of  them  which  killed  the 
prophets. 

32.  Fill  ye  up  then  the  meas- 
ure  of  your  fathers. 

33.  Ye  serpents,  ye  generation 
ct  vipers,  how  can  ye  escape  the 
damnation  of  hell? 

(118)  Isa.  58 :1.  Cry  aloud, 
spare  not,  lift  up  thy  voice  like 
a  trumpet,  and  show  my  people 
their  transgression,  and  thfl 
house  of  Jacob  their  sins. 


156 


JESUS  18  COMING. 


tate  church,119  rebellious  and  murderous  Israel,120  and  a 
sinful  world,  the  day  of  darkness  is  coming.121 

The  Faithful  Remnant. 

But  even  in  the  darkness,  so  gloomy  for  the  ungodly, 
there  is  hope— bright,  glorious  hope  for  the  faithful.122 
For  God  always  has  had,  and  ever  will  have  a  faithful 
remnant.123  There  were  those,  in  blind  unbelieving  Israel, 
who  waited  for  and  accepted  the  Messiah.  Luke  2,  etc.  So 
there  will  be  those  in  the  Church  who  will  wait  for  (1 


(119)  2  Tim.  4:2.    Preach  the 
word ;   be  instant  in  season,  out 
of  season ;   reprove,    rebuke,   ex- 
hort with   all   longsuffering   and 
doctrine. 

3.  For    the    time    will    come 
when  they  will  not  endure  sound 
doctrine ;     but    after    their    own 
lusts    shall    they    heap    to    them- 
selves   teachers,    having    itching 
ears ; 

4.  And  they   shall   turn   away 
their   ears    from   the  truth,   and 
shall  be  turned  unto  fables. 

Also  2  Tim.  3  :5-9,  Rev.  17. 

(120)  Mat.    27:25.     Then  an- 
swered all  the  people,  and  said, 
His  blood  tie  on  us,  and  on  our 
children. 

(121)  Joel  1 :15.  Alas  for  the 
day!  for  the  day  of  the  Lord  is 
at    hand,    and    as    a    destruction 
from  the  Almighty  shall  it  come. 

Amos  5 :18.  Woe  unto  you 
that  desire  the  day  of  the  Lord  ! 
to  what  end  is  it  for  you?  the 
day  of  the  Lord  is  darkness,  and 
not  light. 

19.  As  if  a  man  did  flee  from 
a  lion,  and  a  bear  met  him  ;  or 
went  into  the  house,   and  leaned 
his  hand  on  the  wall,  and  a  ser- 
pent bit  him. 

20.  Shall  not  the   day  of  the 
Lord  ~be  darkness,  and  not  light? 
even  very  dark,   and  no  bright- 
ness in  it? 

2  Pet.  2:17.  These  are  wells 
Without  water,  clouds  that  are 
carried  with  a  tempest ;  to  whom 


the  mist  of  darkness  is  reserved 
for  ever. 

Also  Zeph.  1 :14-18  ;  Mai.  4 :1 ; 
Jude  5-13. 

(122)  1   Thes.    5:4.      But  ye, 
•brethren,    are    not    in    darkness 

that    that    day    should    overtake 
you  as  a   thief. 

5.  Ye   are   all   the  children   of 
light,    and    the    children    of    the 
day :    we    are    not    of   the   night, 
nor  of  darkness. 

6.  Therefore  let  us  not  sleep, 
as  do  others ;  but  let  us  watch 
and  be  sober, 

7.  For   they   that    sleep    sleep 
in   the   night ;   and  they   that  be 
drunken     are    drunken     in     the 
night. 

8.  But  let  us,  who  are  of  the 
day,    be    sober,    putting    on    the 
breastplate    of    faith    and    love ; 
and    for    a   helmet,    the   hope   of 
salvation. 

1  Pet.  1 :13.  "Wherefore  gird 
up  the  loins  of  your  mind,  be 
sober,  and  hope  to  the  end  for 
the  grace  that  is  to  be  brought 
unto  you  at  the  revelation  of 
Jesus  Christ. 

(123)  1  Kings  19:18.     Yet  I 
have  left  me  seven   thousand   in 
Israel,  all  the  knees  which  have 
not  bowed  unto  Baal,   and  every 
mouth    which    hath    not    kissed 
him. 

Rom.  11 :5.  Even  so  then  at 
this  present  time  also  there  is  a 
remnant  according  to  the  elec- 
tion of  grace. 


OBJECTIONS     CONSIDERED. 


157 


Thes.  1:10)  and  welcome  the  coming  Bridegroom.  Mat. 
25:10.  And  there  shall  be  a  remnant  in  Israel,  who,  pass- 
ing through  the  darkness  and  fire  (Zech.  13:9),  will  yet 
accept  their  King.  Zech.  12:10;  Rom.  9:27;  11:25-26.  And 
there  shall  even  be  a  remnant  (residue  or  remainder) 
among  the  Gentiles  (ungodly  world)  who  shall  seek  after 
the  Lord.12* 

Glory  to  God !  the  darkness  shall  yet  flee  away  before  the 
Sun  of  Righteousness,  arising  with  healing  in  His 
wings,125  when  He  comes  to  sit  in  the  throne  of  His 
glory.126  The  mountain  of  the  Lord's  house  shall  be  estab- 
lished and  all  nations  shall  flow  unto  it  (Isa.  2:1-6;  Mic. 
4:1-5,  please  read  it)  during  that  bright  millennial  day  of 
peace  and  glory,127  which  shall  follow  "this  present  evil 
age"  (Gal.  1:4)  and  in  which  even  the  creature  "shall  be 


(124)  Acts  15:16.     After  this 
I    will    return,    and    will    build 
again    the    tabernacle    of   David, 
which  is  fallen  down ;  and  I  will 
build    again    the    ruins    thereof, 
and  I  will  set  it  up: 

17.  That  the  residue  of  men 
might  seek  after  the  Lord,  and 
all  the  Gentiles,  upon  whom  my 
name  is  called,  saith  the  Lord, 
who  doeth  all  these  things. 

(125)  Mai.    4:2.      But     unto 
you  that  fear  m^  name  shall  the 
Sun  of   righteousness  arise  with 
healing    in    his    wings ;    and    ye 
shall  go  forth,   and  grow  up  as 
calves  of  the  stall. 

3.  And  ye  shall  tread  down 
the  wicked ;  for  they  shall  be 
ashes  under  the  soles  of  your 
feet  in  the  day  that  I  shall  do 
this,  saith  the  Lord  of  hosts. 

(126)  Mat.    19:28.     And    Je- 
sus   said    unto    them,    Verily    I 
say    unto    you,    That    ye    which 
have  followed  me,  in  the  regen- 
eration   when    the    Son    of   man 
shall    sit    in    the   throne   of   his 
glory,    ye    also    shall    sit    upon 
twelve      thrones,      judging      the 
twelve  tribes  of  Israel. 

(127)  Acts  17:31.  Because  he 
liath    appointed    a    day,    In    the 


which  he  will  judge  the  world 
in  righteousnes-s  by  that  man 
whom  he  hath  ordained ;  whereof 
he  hath  given  assurance  unto  all 
men,  in  that  he  hath  raised  him 
from  the  dead. 

Rom.  13  :12.  The  night  is  far 
spent,  the  day  is  at  hand:  let  us 
therefore  cast  off  the  works  of 
darkness,  and  let  us  put  on  the 
armour  of  light. 

Rev.  20:4.  And  I  saw 
thrones,  and  they  sat  upon  them, 
and  judgment  was  given  unto 
them :  and  I  saw  the  souls  of 
them  that  were  beheaded  for  the 
witness  of  Jesus,  and  for  the 
word  of  God,  and  which  had 
not  worshipped  the  beast,  neither 
his  image,  neither  had  received 
Tits  mark  upon  their  foreheads, 
or  in  their  hands :  and  they 
lived  and  reigned  with  Christ  a 
thousand  years. 

5.  But  the  rest  of  the  dead 
lived   not   again  until   the  thou- 
sand years  were  finished.      This 
is  ttae  first  resurrection. 

6.  Bless«d  and  holy  is  he  that 
hath  part  in  the   first  resurrec- 
tion ;    on  such  the  s«cond  death 
lhath    no    power,    but    they    shall 
be  priests  of  God1  and  of  Christ, 
and  shall  reign  with  him  a  thou- 
sand years. 


158  JESVS  18  COMINQ. 

delivered  from  the  bondage  of  corruption  into  the  glorious 
liberty  of  the  children  of  God."  Rom.  8 :21.  "They  shall 
not  hurt  nor  destroy  in  all  my  holy  mountain :  for  the  earth 
shall  be  full  of  the  knowledge  of  the  Lord,  as  the  waters 
cover  the  sea,"  Isa.  11 :9. 

"A  better  day  is  coming1,  a  morning  promised  long, 

When   girded   Right,    with   holy   Might,   will   overthrow   the 

wrong; 

When  God  the  Lord  will  listen  to  every  plaintive  sigh, 
And  stretch  His  hand  o'er  every  land,  with  justice  by  and  by. 

The  boast  of  haughty  Error  no  more  will  fill  the  air, 

But  Age  and  Youth  will  love  the  truth  and  spread  it  every- 
where; 

No  more  from  want  and  sorrow  will  come  the  hopeless  cry; 

And  strife  will  cease,  and  perfect  peace  will  flourish  by 
and  by. 

Oh!  for  that  holy  dawning  we  watch,  and  wait,  and  pray, 
Till  o'er  the  height  the  morning  light  shall  drive  the  gloom 

away; 

And  when  the  heavenly  glory  shall  flood  the  earth  and  sky, 
We'll  bless  the  Lord  for  all  His  Word,  and  praise  Him  by 

and  by." 

No.  XIII.    Cruel  to  the  Unsaved. 

It  is  objected  that  it  would  be  cruel  for  Christ  to  come 
in  Judgment  upon  the  world,  while  there  are  so  many  mil- 
lions unsaved. 

"We  answer,— Is  not  such  a  declaration  a  presumptious 
criticism  of  God's  motives?  Was  the  flood  an  expression 
of  cruelty,  or  rather  was  it  not  a  manifestation  of  God's 
love  and  mercy,  toward  them  who  should  live  after,  in  that 
He  swept  away  the  great  overflow  of  wickedness?  Surely 
it  was  done  in  mercy.  And  now  let  us  remember  that  this 
world  DEES  every  thirty-three  years.  The  average  of  human 
life  is  even  a  little  less  than  this.  The  world  is  in  the  power 
of  the  devil,128  and  he  has  the  power  of  death.129  He  has 

(128)  1  John  5:19.     We  know  of  the  same;  that  through  death 
that    we    are    of    God,    and    the  he   might   destroy   him    that   had 
whole    world    lieth    in    the    evil  the  power  of  death,   that  is,   the 
one.  devil ; 

(129)  Heb.  2:14.     Forasmuch  15.  And     deliver     them,     who 
then    as    the    children    are    par-  through    fear    of   death   were    all 
takers    of    flesh    and    blood,    he  their  lifetime  subject  to  bondagn. 
also   himself   likewise   took   part 


OBJECTIONS     CONSIDERED.  159 

slain  this  world  with  the  sword  of  death,  over  fifty  times 
in  the  present  dispensation. 

Think  of  it!  more  than  fifty  worlds  gone  down  in  the 
whirlpool  of  death.  Each  generation  brings  on  to  the 
scene  an  entirely  new  world.  And  how  few  out  of  these 
are  converted.  How  few  are  reached  by  the  gospel  life- 
boat, and  how  few  of  those  reached  heed  the  message  of 
salvation.  The  great  mass  sweep  on,  like  a  wrecked  vessel, 
in  darkness  and  unbelief,  to  the  Judgment. 

The  coming  of  Christ  will  inaugurate  a  far  better  state 
of  things.  For,  when  He  comes,  all  things  that  offend  shall 
be  gathered  out  and  the  kingdom  shall  be  established  in 
righteousness.130  And  even  though  the  subjects  of  the  king- 
dom (not  Ihe  reigning  ones)131  may  die  during  the  millen- 
nial age,  yet  shall  they  die  in  a  good  old  age,  the  child 
even  a  hundred  years  old,132  and  their  death  shall  be 
blessed,133  and  though  the  Millennium  is  not  the  perfect 
state,  yet  Judgment  will  speedily  follow  the  sinner  of  that 
day,  or  the  nation  which  shall  swerve  from  serving  God.134 

(130)    Mat.    13:49.     So   shall  dred    years    old,     shall    be    ac- 

it  be  at  the  end  of  the  world:  cursed. 

the  angels  shall  come  forth,  and  (133)    Rev.      14:13.      And      I 

sever    the    wicked    from    among  heard  a  voice  from  heaven  say- 

the  just,  ing  unto  me,  Write,   Blessed  are 

50.  And   shall   cast  them   into  tne  dead  which   die   in  the   Lord 

the   furnace   of   fire:   there   shall  from   henceforth:   Yea   saith   the 

be  wailing  and  gnashing  of  teeth.  8PirIt'   that  they  may  rest  from 

Also  verses   31-43.  their  labours. 

(134)   Zech.    14:16.      And    it 

LV5^  ^l  2° :35'    *  ^Ut   ^      ^all    come   to    pass,   that   every 
which  shall  be  accounted  worthy      Qne   that   is    left   of    all   tfae   na_ 

to  obtain  that  world  and  the  tioQS  w  h  came  inst  Jeru. 
resurrection  from  the  dead,  ,  eyen  from 

neither  marry,  nor  are  given  in      year  to  year  to  worship  tbe  Klng> 

the   Lord  of   hosts,    and   to   keep 

36.  Neither  can  they  die  any  the  feast  of  tabernacles, 

more:    for   they    are   equal    unto  17.  And  it  shall  be,  that  who- 

the  angels ;  and  are  the  children  so   wm   not  come  up   of   all   the 

of  God,  being  the  children  of  the  families  of  the  earth  unto  Jeru- 

resurrection.  salem  to  worship   the  King,   the 

Also  Rev.  20  :4-6.  Lord   of   hosts,    even   upon   f>em 

(132)   Isa.  65  :20.  There  shall  shall  be  no  rain, 

be  no   more  thence  an   infant  of  18.  And  if  the  family  of  Eb/Pt 

days,  nor  an  old  man  that  hath  go    not   up,    and    come   not,   that 

not  filled  his  days :  for  the  child  have  no  rain,  there  shall  be  the 

shall  die  an  hundred  years  old ;  plague   wherewith  the   Lord  will 

but    the    sinner,    being    an   hun-  smite  the  heathen  that  come  not 


160  JESUS  IS  COMING. 

Surely,  then,  His  speedy  coming  cannot  be  counted  an 
unmerciful  event.  The  wonder  is  rather  at  the  long-suffer- 
ing of  God,  which  now135  (as  before  the  flood136)  waits  in 
such  patient  pleading.  But  He  will  fulfill  His  promise,  and 
the  Coming  One*  will  come137  and  cut  short  the  work  in 
righteousness.  Rom.  9:28. 

Then  let  us  not  look  upon  Christ's  coming  as  cruel  or 
unmerciful.  He  has  said  "SURELY  i  COME  QUICKLY/'  and 
let  us  have  the  mind  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  who  replied  "EVEN 
so  COME  LORD  JESUS/'  Eev.  22:20. 

"Then  welcome,  thrice  welcome,  ye  tokens  of  God. 
What  else  but  His  coming'  can  comfort  afford? 
What  presence  but  His  set  this  prisoned  earth  free? 
O  Star  of  the  Morning,  our  hope  is  in  Thee!" 

No.  XIV.    This  Generation. 

Jesus  said:  "This  generation  shall  not  pass  away  till 
all  be  fulfilled."  Lu.  21:32.  See  also  Mat.  24:34;  Mar. 
13 :30. 

Some  have  construed  "generation"  to  mean  a  time  of 
thirty  or  forty  years;  and,  as  Jerusalem  was  destroyed 
within  forty  years  after  Christ  spoke,  they  refer  all  he  said 
to  that  event. 

Israel  the  Generation  That  Passes  Not  Away. 

We  believe  "generation,"  as  there  used,  means  the  whole 
existence  of  the  Israelitish  race.  Compare  the  following 
passages  where  the  same  Greek  word  is  used.138 

•So   the   Greek. 

up  to  keep  the  feast  of  taberna-  sometime  were  disobedient,  when 

cles.  once    the    longsuflering    of    God 

19.  This  shall  be  the  punish-  waited    in    the    days    of    Noah, 

ment  of  Egypt,   and  the  punish-  while  the   ark  was   a  preparing, 

ment    of    all    nations    that    come  wherein  few,   that  is,  eight  souls 

not  up  to  keep  the  feast  of  taber-  were  saved  by  water, 

nacles.    Also  Isa.   65:20.  (137)    Heb.     10:36.       For    ye 

(135)  2  Pet.    3:9.      The   Lord  have  need  of  patience,  that,  after 
is  not  slack  concerning  his  prom-  ye  have  done  the  will  of  God,  ye 
ise,    as    some    men    count    slack-  might  receive  the  promise, 
ness ;  but  is  longsuffering  to  us-  37.  For  yet  a  little  while,  and 
ward,  not  willing  that  any  should  he    that    shall    come    will    come, 
perish,  but  that  all  should  come  and  will   not  tarry. 

to  repentance.  (138)    Mat."     11:16.        But 

(136)  1     Pet.     3 :20.     Which      whereunto  shall  I  liken  this  gen- 


OBJECTIONS     CONSIDERED.  161 

In  Psa.  22:30,  we  read:  "A  seed  shall  serve  Him;  it 
shall  be  accounted  to  the  Lord  for  a  generation."  And  in 
Psa.  24:6:  "This  is  the  generation  of  them  that  seek  Him." 

In  Prov.  30:11-14,  the  generation  of  the  righteous  and 
the  generation  of  the  wicked  are  clearly  distinguished. 
Hence  we  conclude  that  the  generation  of  the  Israelites 
were  not  only  to  see  the  destruction  of  Jerusalem,  but  the 
COMIXG  of  Christ  (at  the  revelation)  and  the  end  of  the 
age.  Mat.  24:3. 

And  their  wonderful  preservation,  as  a  distinct  people, 
through  all  the  persecutions,  vicissitudes  and  wanderings  of 
the  past  eighteen  centuries  down  to  the  present  moment,  is 
a  standing  miracle,  attesting  the  truth  of  God's  word,  and 
assuring  us  of  His  purposes  in  their  future  history. 

Said  Frederick  the  Great  to  his  chaplain :  "Doctor,  if 
your  religion  is  a  true  one,  it  ought  to  be  capable  of  very 
brief  and  simple  proof.  Will  you  give  me  an  evidence  of 
its  truth  in  ONE  WORD?"  The  good  man  answered,  "Israel." 

Other  nations  come  and  go,  but  Israel  remains.  She 
passes  not  away.  God  says  of  her,  "For  a  small  moment 
have  I  forsaken  thee;  but  with  great  mercies  will  I  gather 
thee.  In  a  little  wrath  I  hid  my  face  from  thee  for  a 
moment;  but  with  everlasting  kindness  will  I  have  mercy 
on  thee,  saith  the  Lord,  thy  Redeemer."  Isa.  54:7-8. 

eration?      It    is    like    unto    chil-  prophets,    which   was    shed   from 

dren  sitting  in  the  markets,  and  the  foundation  of  the  world,  may 

calling  unto  their  fellows.  be  required  of  this  generation ; 

Mat.     16:4.        A    wicked    and  5!.  From    the    blood    of    Abel 

adulterous      generation      seeketh  unto     the     blood     of    Zacharias, 

after  a  sign  ;  and  there  shall  no  which  perished  between  the  altar 

sign    be    given    unto   it,    but   the  and    the    temple:    verily    I    say 

sign  of  the  prophet  Jonas.     And  unto    you>    It   shall    be    requirea 

he  left  them,  and  departed.  of  this  generation. 

Luke    9:41.      And    Jesus    an-  _..,    „  .,_      _.    . 

swering    said,    O    faithless    and  Phil-  2 :15;     That  ye  may  be- 

perverse    generation,    how    long  c°™e    blameless    and    harmless 

shall   I   be  with   you,   and  suffer  children  of  God  without  blemish 

you?     Bring  thy  son  hither.  In  the   midst  of  a,  crooked   and 

Luke    11 :49.      Therefore    also  Perverse        generation,        among 

said  the  wisdom  of  God,  I  will  ^hom  7*   are  seen   as'  ll&is  *» 

send  them  prophets  and  apostles,  e  worm, 

and    some    of    them    they    shall  Also  Mark  8 :38. 

slay  and  persecute :  Luke  7  :31 ;  11 :29,  30,  31,  32 ; 

50.  That  the  blood  of  all  the  16:8;    17:26.     Acts  2:40. 


CHAPTER  XV. 
Israel  Is  to  Be  Restored. 

But,  perhaps,  you  say:  "I  don't  believe  the  Israelites  are 
to  be  restored  to  Canaan,  and  Jerusalem  rebuilt." 

Dear  reader!  have  you  read  the  declarations  of  God's 
word  about  it?  Surely  nothing  is  more  plainly  stated  in 
the  Scriptures.  We  would  that  we  had  space  to  quote  the 
passages,  but  we  can  only  give  you  a  portion  of  the  refer- 
ences. We  beg  of  you  to  read  them  thoughtfully.  Divest 
yourself  of  prejudice  and  preconceived  notions,  and  let 
the  Holy  Spirit  show  you,  from  His  word,  the  glorious 
future  of  God's  chosen  people,  "who  are  beloved"  (Rom. 
11:28),  and  dear  unto  Him  as  "the  apple  of  His  eye." 
Zeeh.  2 :8. 

1st.    God  calls  Abraham.    Gen.  12:1.* 

2nd.    God's  promise  to  Abraham.     Gen.  12:2-7. 

"  "  "  Gen.  13:14-17.2 

"          "  "  Gen.  15:18. 

"  Gen.  17:8. 

1     "  "  Isaac.  Gen.  26:1-5. 


(1)  Gen.  12:1.  Now  the 
Lord  had  said  unto  Abram,  Get 
thee  out  of  thy  country,  and  from 
thy  kindred,  and  from  thy 
father's  house,  unto  a  land  that 
I  will  show  thee : 

2.  And  I  will  make  of  thee  a 
great    nation,    and    I    will    bless 
thee,  and  make  thy  name  great ; 
and  thou  shalt  be  a  blessing : 

3.  And  I  will  bless  them  that 
bless   thee,    and    curse   him   that 
curseth  thee :   and  in  thee  shall 
all    families'    of    the    earth    be 
blessed. 

6.  And  Abram  passed  through 
the     land     unto     the     place     of 
Sichem,  unto  the  plain  of  Moreh. 
And  the  Canaanite  was  then  in 
the  land. 

7.  And  the  Lord  appeared  un- 
to   Abram,    and    said,    Unto    thy 
seed  will   I   give  this   land :   and 


there  builded  he  an  altar  unto 
the  Lord,  who  appeared  unto 
him. 

(2)  Gen.  13:14.  And  the 
Lord  said  unto  Abram,  after  that 
Lot  was  separated  from  him,  Lift 
up  now  thine  eyes,  and  look 
from  the  place  where  thou  art 
northward,  and  southward,  and 
eastward,  and  westward ; 

15.  For    all    the    land    which 
thou  seest,  to  thee  will  I  give  it, 
and  to  thy  seed  for  ever. 

16.  And  I  will  make  thy  s'eed 
as  the  dust  of  the  earth :  so  that 
if  a  man  can   number  the   dust 
of  the  earth,  then  shall  thy  seed 
also  be  numbered. 

17.  Arise,    walk    through    the 
land,  in  the  length  of  it,  and  in 
the  breadth  of  it;  for  I  will  give 
it  unto  thee. 


(162J 


RESTORATION    OF   ISRAEL. 


163 


God's  promise  to  Jacob.  Gen.  28:1-15. 

"  Gen.  35:10-12. 

3rd.  The  land  described.  Ex.  23:31;  Nu.  34;  Deut.  11:24; 
Deut.  34:1-4;  Josh.  1:2-6. 

4th.    The  land  partially  possessed.     1  Kings  4:21. 
5th.    Punishment  prophesied  for  disobedience.     Lev.  26:14- 
39;  Deut.  4:22;  28:15;  31:16. 

6th.  Israel's  sins.  Judges  2:11-19;  1  Sam.  8:6;  2  Kings  21: 
11;  2  Kings  24:3;  Jer.  15:4;  and  many  others,  ESPECIALLY 
Mat  27:25. 

7th.  The  promises  to  be  remembered  and  restoration  as- 
jsured: 

Lev.  26:40-45,   especially  verses  42,   44,  45.3 
Deut.  4:30-31.4 

"       30:1-10,  especially  verses  4,  5,  6.5 
2  Sam.  7:10-11.6 
Joel  2:18-32. 
"      3:1-21. 


(3)  Lev.   26:44.     And  yet  for 
all    that,    when    they   be    in    the 
land  of  their  enemies,  I  will  not 
cast   them   away,    neither   will    I 
abhor  them,  to  destroy  them  ut- 
terly, and  to  break  my  covenant 
with   them :    for  I   am   the    Lord 
their   God. 

45.  But  I  will  for  their  sakes 
remember  the  covenant  of  their 
ancestors,  whom  I  brought  forth 
out  of  the  land  of  Egypt  in  the 
sight  of  the  heathen,  that  I 
might  be  their  God :  I  am  the 
Lord. 

(4)  Deut.    4:30.      When    thou 
art  in  tribulation,  and  all  these 
things  are  come  upon  thee,  even 
in   the   latter   days,   if  thou  turn 
to   the   Lord  thy  God,   and  shalt 
be  obedient  unto  his  voice ; 

31.  (For  the  Lord  thy  God  is 
a  merciful  God  ;)  he  will  not  for- 
sake thee,  neither  destroy  thee, 
nor  forget  the  covenant  of  thy 
fathers  'which  he  sware  unto 
them. 

(5)  Deut.  30:1.     And  it  shall 
come    to    pass,    when    all    these 
things    are   come   upon   thee,   the 
blessing   and   the  curse,   which   I 
have    set    before    thee,    and    thou 
shalt   call    them  to   mind   among 
all  the  nations  whither  the  Lord 
thy  God   hath  driven  thee, 

2.  And  shalt   return   unto  the 


Lord  thy  God,  and  shalt  obey  his 
voice,  according  to  all  that  I 
command  thee  this1  day,  thou 
and  thy  children,  with  all  thine 
heart,  and  with  all  thy  soul ; 

3.  That  then  the  Lord  thy  God 
will  turn  thy  captivity,  and  have 
compassion   upon    thee,    and   will 
return   and  gather  thee  from  all 
the    nations,    whither    the    Lord 
thy  God  hath   scattered  thee. 

4.  If   any    of   thine   be   driven 
out    unto    the    outmost    parts    of 
heaven,     from    thence    will     the 
Lord   thy   God    gather   thee,    and 
from   thence  will  he  fetch   thee : 

5.  And  the  Lord  thy  God  will 
bring   thee   into   the   land   which 
thy    fathers    possessed,    and   thou 
shalt  possess   it ;   and  he  will  do 
thee    good,     and    multiply    thee 
above  thy  fathers. 

6.  And  the  Lord  thy  God  will 
circumcise   thine   heart,    and   the 
heart    of   thy    seed,    to    love    the 
Lord    thy    God    with    all     thine 
heart,  and  with  all  thy  soul,  that 
thou    mayest   live. 

(6)  2  Sam.  7 :10.  Moreover 
I  will  appoint  a  place  for  my 
people  Israel,  and  will  plant 
them,  that  they  may  dwell  in  a 
place  of  their  own,  and  move  no 
more ;  neither  shall  the  chil- 
dren of  wickedness  afflict  them 
auy  more,  as  beforetima 


164 


JESUS  IS  COMING. 


Amos  9:11-15,  especially  verse  15.7 
Hosea  1:10-11. 
2:14-23. 
3:4-5. 
Isa.  2:2-5. 

"     9:6-7. 

"     10:20-23,  especially  verses  21,  22. 

"     11:10-16,  especially  verse  11,  SECOND  TIME. 

"     19:23-25. 

"     27:12-13.8 

"     33:20-24. 

"     43:1-7,  especially  verses  5,  6,  7. 

"     49:13-26,  especially  verses  22,  23. 

"     60:1-22,  especially  verses  8,  9,  10,  15,  16,  IS,  21. 

"     61:1-11. 

"     62:1-12. 

"     65:8-10. 

"     65:17-25. 

"     66:19-24. 
Jer.  3:12-19,  especially  verses  17,  18. 

"      11:4-5. 

"      16:14-16.9 


(7)  Amos  9:11.  In  that  day 
will  I  raise  up  the  tabernacle  of 
David  that  is  fallen,  and  close 
up  the  breaches  thereof ;  and  I 
will  raise  up  his  ruins,  and  I 
will  build  it  as  in  the  days  of 
old: 

12.  That  they  may  possess  the 
remnant  of  Edom,  and  of  all  the 
heathen,  which  are  called  by  my 
name,  saith  the  Lord  that  doeth 
this. 

13.  Behold,     the     days    come, 
saith  the  Lord,  that  the  plowman 
shall    overtake    the    reaper,    and 
the   treader   of   grapes   him   that 
soweth  seed ;  and  the  mountains 
shall   drop    sweet   wine,    and    all 
the  hills  shall  melt. 

14..  And  I  will  bring  again  the 
captivity  of  my  people  of  Israel, 
and  they  shall  build  the  waste 
cities,  and  inhabit  thgm;  and 
they  shall  plant  vineyards,  and 
drink  the  wine  thereof ;  they 
shall  also  make  gardens,  and 
eat  the  fruit  of  them. 

15.  And  I  will  plant  them 
upon  their  land,  and  they  shall 
no  more  be  pulled  up  out  of 


their    land    which    I    have    given 
them,  saith  the  Lord  thy  God. 

(8)  Isa.  27:12.     And  it  shal.' 
come   to   pass    in    that   day,    that 
the  Lord  shall  beat  off  from  the 
channel    of    the    river    unto    the 
stream    of   Egypt,    and    ye    shall 
be   gathered    one    by   one,   O   ye 
children  of  Israel. 

13.  And  it  shall  come  to  pass 
in  that  day,  that  the  great 
trumpet  shall  be  blown,  and 
they  shall  come  which  were 
ready  to  perish  in  the  land  01" 
Assyria,  and  the  outcasts  in  the 
land  of  Egypt,  and  shall  worship 
the  Lord  in  the  holy  mount  at 
Jerusalem. 

(9)  Jer.      16:14.      Therefore, 
behold,  the  days  come,  saith  the 
Lord,    that   it   shall  no   more   be 
said,      The     Lord      liveth,      that 
brought  up  the  children  of  Israel 
out  of  the  land  of  Egypt ; 

15.  But,  the  Lord  liveth  that 
brought  up  the  children  of  Israel 
from  the  land  of  the  north,  and 
from  all  the  lands  whither  he 
had  driven  them :  and  I  will 
bring  them  again  into  th<>ir  land 
that  I  gave  unto  their  fathers. 


RESTORATION    OF   ISRAEL. 


165 


Jer.  23:3-8,   especially  verses  3,   4,   6. 
"      29:10-14. 

"      30:1-24,  especially  verses  8,  9,  10,  11,  20. 
"      31:1-40,  especially  verses  8,  9,  10,  12,  28,  33,  38. 
"      32:36-44,  especially  verses  37,  39,  40,  41,  42. 
"      34:7-17,  especially  verses  7,  8,  14,  15,  16. 
"      44:28. 
"      46:27-28. 
"      50:4-8. 
"      50:17-20. 

Ezek.  6:8-10,  especially  verse  9. 
"       20:36-44,  especially  verses  40,  41,  42,  43,  44.io 
"       28:24-26,  especially  verses  25,  26. 

"       34:11-31,  especially  verses  11,  12,  13,  14,  23,  24,  25,  28. 
"       36:1-38,  especially  verses  8,  10,  11,  12,  15,  21,  28,  31,  35, 

37,  38. 

"      37:1-28,  especially  verses  11,  12,  14,  16  to  28. 
"       39:23-29,  especially  verses  25,  26,  27,  29. 
Chapters  40  to  48  the  New  Temple. 

See  the  order  in  which  the  tribes  shall  be  settled,  Ch.  43. 
Micah  4:1-7. 

"        7:8-20,  especially  verses  12,  19,  20.n 


16.  Behold,  I  will  send  for 
many  fishers,  saith  the  Lord,  and 
they  shall  fish  them ;  and  after 
will  I  send  for  many  hunters', 
and  they  shall  hunt  them  from 
every  mountain,  and  from  every 
hill,  and  out  of  the  holes  of  the 
rocks. 

(10)  Ezek.  20:40.  For  in 
mine  holy  mountain,  in  the 
mountain  of  the  height  of  Israel, 
saith  the  Lord  God,  there  shall 
all  the  house  of  Israel,  all  of 
them  in  the  land,  serve  me : 
there  will  I  accept  them,  and 
there  will  I  require  your  offer- 
ings, and  the  first-fruits  of  your 
oblations,  with  all  your  holy 
things. 

41.  I    will    accept    you    with 
your  sweet  savour,  when  I  bring 
you    out    from    the    people,    and 
gather  you  out  of  the  countries 
wherein  ye  have  been  scattered ; 
and  I  will  be  sanctified  in  you 
before  the  heathen. 

42.  And  ye  shall  know  that  I 
am  the  Lord,  when  I  shall  bring 
you  into  the  land  of  Israel,   into 
the  country  for  the  which  I  lifted 
up  mine  hand  to  give  it  to  your 
fathers. 


43.  And  there  shall  ye  remem- 
ber your  ways,  and  all  your  do- 
ings,  wherein  ye   have   been   de- 
filed ;   and  ye  shall  loathe  your- 
selves in  your  own  sight  for  all 
your    evils    that    ye    nave    com- 
mitted. 

44.  And  ye  shall  know  that  I 
am    the     Lord,     when     I     have 
wrought  with  you  for  my  name's 
sake,     not     according     to     your 
wicked    ways1,    nor    according   to 
your  corrupt  doings,  O  ye  house 
of  Israel,  saith  the  Lord  God. 

(11)  Mich.  7:18.  Who  is  a 
God  like  unto  thee,  that  par- 
doneth  iniquity,  and  passeth  by 
the  transgression  of  the  remnant 
of  his  heritage?  he  retaineth  not 
his  anger  for  ever,  because  he 
delighteth  in  mercy. 

19.  He  will  turn  again,  he  will 
have    compassion    upon    us ;    he 
will    subdue    our    iniquities ;   and 
thou  wilt  cast  all  their  sins  into 
the  depths  of  the  sea. 

20.  Thou     wilt     perform     the 
truth  to  Jacob,  and  the  mercy  to 
Abraham,  which  thou  hast  sworn 
unto  our  fathers  from  the  day» 
of  old/ 


166 


JE8VS  18  COMING. 


Zeph.  3:8-20,  especially  verses  11,  13,  19,  20. 12 
Zech.  2:4-13. 

"       3:1-10,  especially  verse  9. 

"       8:1-23,  especially  verses  4,  6,  8,  12,  16,  17,  20  to  23. 
10:5-12,  all  of  them." 

"      12:1-14,  especially  verses  10,  11. 

"      13:1-9,  especially  verses  6,  8,  9. 

"      14:1-21,  especially  verses  11,  16,  20,  2L 
Mai.  3:10-12.1* 

Mat.  23:37-39,  especially  in  verse  39,  TILL. 
Luke  13:34-35,  especially  in  verse  35,  trami*. 

"      21:24,  especially  UNTIL. 

"Jerusalem  shall  be  trodden  down  of  the  Gentiles  UNTtt 
the  times  of  the  Gentiles  be  fulfilled." 
Rom.  11:17-28,  especially  verses  17,  20,  23  to  28.16 


(12)  Zeph.   3:19.     Behold,   at 
that    time   I    will   undo   all    that 
afflict  thee ;  and  I  will  save  her 
that  halteth,  and  gather  her  that 
was  driven  out ;   and  I  will  get 
them  praise  and  fame  in   every 
land  where  they  have  been  put  to 
shame. 

20.  At  that  time  will  I  bring 
you  again,  even  in  the  time  that 
I  gather  you:  for  I  will  make 
you  a  name  and  a  praise  among 
all  people  of  the  earth,  when  I 
turn  back  your  captivity  before 
your  eyes,  saith  the  Lord. 

(13)  Zech.  10:6.     And  I  will 
strengthen   the   house  of  Judah, 
and  I  will  save  the  house  of  Jo- 
seph,   and    I    will    bring    them 
again  to  place  them :  for  I  have 
mercy  upon  them :  and  they  shall 
be    as    though    I    had    not    cast 
them    off :    for    I    am   the    Lord 
their  God,   and  will   hear  them. 

7.  And  they  of  Ephraim  shall 
be  like  a  mighty  man,  and  their 
heart    shall    rejoice    as    through 
wine :    yea,   their   children    shall 
see  it,  and  be  glad ;  their  heart 
shall  rejoice  in  the  Lord. 

8.  I   will   hiss    for  them,    and 
gather    them ;    for    I    have    re- 
deemed them :  and  they  shall  In- 
crease as  they  have  increased. 

9.  And  I  will  sow  them  among 
the   people :    and   they   shall   re- 
member   me    in    far    countries ; 
and    they    shall    live   with   their 
children,    and   turn    again. 


.10.  I  will  bring  them  again 
also  out  of  the  land  of  Egypt, 
and  gather  them  out  of  Assyria ; 
and  I  will  bring  them  into  the 
land  of  Gilead  and  Lebanon ;  and 
•place  shall  not  be  found  for 
them. 

(14)  Mai.   3:11.     And  I  will 
rebuke    the    devourer    for    your 
sakes,    and  he  shall  not  destroy 
the     fruits     of     your     ground; 
neither  shall  your  vine  cast  her 
fruit  before  the  time  in  the  field, 
saith  the  Lord  of  hosts. 

12.  Ar,d  all  nations  shall  call 
you  blessed:  for  ye  shall  be  a 
delightsome  land,  saith  the  Lord 
of  hosts. 

(15)  Rom.  11:11.    I  say  then, 
Have   they    stumbled    that    they 
should    fall?      God    forbid:    but 
rather  through  their  fall   salva- 
tion is  come   unto   the   Gentiles, 
for  to  provoke  them  to  jealousy. 

12.  Now  if  the  fall  of  them  be 
the  riches  of  the  world,  and  the 
diminishing  of  them  the  riches  of 
the    Gentiles ;    how    much    more 
their  fulness1? 

13.  For  I  speak  to  you   Gen- 
tiles,   inasmuch    as    I    am    the 
apostle  of  the  Gentiles,   I   mag- 
nify mine  office : 

19.  Thou   wilt   say  then,   The 
branches    were   broken   off,    that 
I  might  be  grafted  In. 

20.  Well ;   because  o2  unbelief 
they  were  broken  off,   tnd 


RESTORATION    OF   ISRAEL.  167 

Acts  15:13-16,— very  important,  as  it  is  the  apostle's  sum- 
mary of  the  prophets.is 
Psa.  51:18;  102:16. 

And  now,  reader,  if  you  have  faithfully  studied  these 
passages,  or  if  you  have  even  read  them,  do  you  wonder 
that  the  great  mass  of  Jews,  at  the  present  time,  have  an 
abiding  faith  that  they  are  to  be  returned  to  Canaan? 

All  the  orthodox  Jews  tenaciously  cling  to  this  hope; 
and  shall  we,  who  have  accepted  so  much  greater  light,  re- 
fuse this  overwhelming  testimony  of  the  Word?  God  for- 
bid. 

It  may  be  that  you  say,  "These  prophesies  were  fulfilled 
in  the  return  from  Babylon." 

Not  so,  that  was  the  FIRST  TIME.     But  there  is  to  be 

A  Second  Restoration. 

"And  It  shall  come  to  pass  in  that  day,  that  the  Lord  shall 
eet  His  hand  AGAIN  the  SECOND  TIME  to  recover  the  remnant 
of  His  people,  which  shall  be  left,  from  Assyria,  and  from 
Egypt,  and  from  Pathros,  and  from  Gush,  and  from  Elam, 
and  from  Shinar,  and  from,  Hamath,  and  from  the  islands  of 
the  sea."  Isa.  11:11. 

In  the  first  restoration  only  those  who  were  MINDED  came 
back  from  Babylon  (Ezra  7:13),  while  many  remained  both 

standest  by  faith.     Be  not  high-  they  had  held  their  peace,  James 

minded,  but  fear :  answered,       saying,       Men      and 

21.  For  if  God  spared  not  the  brethren,  hearken  unto  me: 

natural  branches,  take  heed  lest  14.  Simeon  hath  declared  how 

he  also  spare  not  thee.  God  at  the  first  did  visit  the  Gen- 

25.  For  I  would  not,  brethren.  tiles>  to  take  out  of  them  a  peo- 
that    ye    should    be    ignorant    of  Ple  for  hi&1  aame. 

this  mystery,   lest  ye   should  be          15.  And     to     this     agree    the 

wise  in  your  own  conceits,  that  words  of  the  prophets ;   as  it  is 

blindness    in    part    is    happened  written, 

to  Israel,  until  the  fulness  of  the          16.  After    this    I   will    return, 

Gentiles  be  come  in.  and  will  build   again  the  taber- 

26.  And  so  all  Israel  shall  be  nacle  of  David,   which  is  fallen 
saved :    as    it    la  written,    There  down  ;  and  I  will  build  again  the 
shall  come   out  of  Sion  the   De-  ruins   thereof,   and   I   will   set   it 
liverer,  and  shall  turn  away  un-  up ; 

godliness  from  Jacob:  17    That  the   residue   of  men 

27.  For   this    is   my   covenant  might  seek  after  the  Lord,   and 
unto    them,    when    I    shall    take  all  the  Gentiles,  upon  whom  my 
away  their  sins.  name    is   called,    saith   the    Lord, 

(16)   Acts    15:13.      And  after      who  doeth  all  these  things. 


168  JESUS  IS  COMING. 

there,  and  in  Egypt  and  elsewhere.    But  in  the  future,  or 
second  restoration,  not  one  will  be  left. 

"If  any  of  thine  be  driven  out  unto  the  outmost  parts  of 
heaven,  from  thence  will  the  Lord  thy  God  gather  thee,  and 
from  thence  will  He  fetch  thee."  Deut.  30:4. 

"Fear  not;  for  I  am  with  thee:  I  will  bring  thy  seed  from 
the  east,  and  gather  thee  from  the  west;  I  will  say  to  the 
north,  give  up;  and  to  the  south,  keep  not  back;  bring  my 
sons  from  far,  and  my  daughters  from  the  ends  of  the 
earth;  EVEN  EVERY  ONE  that  is  called  by  my  name:  for  I 
have  created  him  for  my  glory,  I  have  formed  him;  yea,  I 
have  made  him."  Isa.  43:5-7. 

"For  thus  saith  the  Lord  God;  Behold,  I,  even  I,  will  both 
search  my  sheep  and  seek  them  out.  As  a  shepherd  seeketh 
out  his  flock  in  the  day  that  he  is  among  his  sheep  that  are 
scattered,  so  will  I  seek  out  my  sheep,  and  will  deliver  them 
out  of  all  places  where  they  have  been  scattered  in  the 
cloudy  and  dark  day;  and  I  will  bring  them  out  from  the 
people,  and  gather  them  from  the  countries,  and  will  bring 
them  to  their  own  land,  and  feed  them  upon  the  mountains 
of  Israel."  Ezek.  34:11-13. 

"Then  shall  they  know  that  I  am  the  Lord  their  God, 
which  caused  them  to  be  led  into  captivity,  among  the 
heathen;  but  I  have  gathered  them  unto  their  own  land, 
and  HAVE  LEFT  NONE  OF  THEM  ANY  MOKE  THERE."  Ezek. 
39:28-29. 

In  the  first  restoration  it  was  only  Jews  who  returned. 
In  the  second,  or  future  restoration,  it  will  he  both  Judah 
(the  two  tribes)  and  Israel  (the  ten  tribes).* 

"In  those  days  the  house  of  Judah  shall  walk  with  the 
house  of  Israel,  and  they  shall  come  together  out  of  the 
land  of  the  north  to  the  land  that  I  have  given  for  an 
inheritance  unto  your  fathers."  Jer.  3:18. 

"And  I  will  multiply  men  upon  you,  all  the  house  of  Israel, 
EA'EN  ALL  OF  IT,  and  the  cities  shall  be  inhabited,  and  the 
wastes  shall  be  builded."  Ezek.  36:10. 

Ezekiel  was  directed  to  take  two  sticks,  representing 
Judah  and  Joseph,  which  should  be  joined  and  become  one 
stick  in  his  hand,  and  when  the  people  enquired  what  it 
meant,  he  was  directed  to  say  unto  them : 

"Thus  saith  the  Lord  God;  Behold,  I  will  take  the  chil- 
dren of  Israel  from  among  the  heathen,  whither  they  be 
gone,  and  will  gather  them  on  every  side,  and  bring  them 
into  their  own  land:  and  I  will  make  them  ONE  NATION  in 

•Except  in  this  place,  we  use  the  word  Israel  in  its  broader 
sense,  meaning  the  whole  twelve  tribes. 


RESTORATION    OF   ISRAEL.  169 

the  land  upon  the  mountains  of  Israel;  and  one  king  shall 
be  king  to  them  ALL;  and  they  shall  be  NO  MORE  two  nations, 
neither  shall  they  be  divided  into  two  kingdoms  any  more 
at  all."  Ezek.  37:15-22. 

At  the  first  restoration  they  returned  to  be  overthrown 
and  driven  out  again.  But  in  the  second,  they  shall  return 
to  remain,  no  more  to  go  out.  They  shall  be  exalted  and 
dwell  safely,  and  the  Gentile  nations  shall  flow  unto  them. 

Permanent  Restoration. 

"I  will  plant  them  upon  their  land,  and  they  SHALL  NO 
MORE  BE  PULLED  UP  out  of  their  land  which  I  have  given 
them,  saith  the  Lord  their  God."  Amos  9:15. 

"And  they  shall  no  more  be  a  prey  to  the  heathen,  neither 
shall  the  beasts  of  the  land  devour  them:  but  they  shall 
DWELL  SAFELY,  and  none  shall  make  them  afraid."  Ezek. 
34:28. 

"And  I  will  settle  you  after  your  old  estates,  and  will  do 
better  unto  you  than  at  your  beginnings:— yea,  I  will  cause 
men  to  walk  upon  you,  even  my  people  Israel; — and  thou 

Shalt  NO  MORE  HENCEFORTH  BEREAVE  THEM  OF  MEN."   Ezek. 

36:11-12. 

•  "Whereas  thou  hast  been  forsaken  and  hated,  so  that  no 
man  went  through  thee,  I  will  make  thee  an  eternal  excel- 
lency, a  joy  of  many  generations.  Thou  shalt  also  suck 
the  milk  of  the  Gentiles,  and  shall  suck  the  breast  of  kings; 
and  thou  shalt  know  that  I  the  Lord  am  thy  Saviour  and  thy 
Redeemer,  the  mighty  One  of  Jacob."  Isa,  60:15-16. 

All  Nations  Shall  Tlow  Unto  Israel. 

"As  I  LIVE,  saith  the  Lord,  thou  shalt  surely  clothe  thee 
with  them  all,  as  with  an  ornament,  and  bind  them  on  thee, 
as  a  bride  doeth..  .  .  I  will  lift  up  my  hand  to  the  Gen- 
tiles, and  set  up  my  standard  to  the  people:  and  they  shall 
bring  thy  sons  in  their  arms,  and  thy  daughters  shall  be 
carried  upon  their  shoulders,  and  kings  shall  be  thy  nursing 
fathers,  and  their  queens  thy  nursing  mothers;  they  shall 
bow  down  to  thee  with  their  face  toward  the  earth,  and 
lick  up  the  dust  of  thy  feet."  Isa.  49:18,  22,  23. 

"But  in  the  last  days  it  shall  come  to  pass,  that  the 
mountain  of  the  house  of  the  Lord  shall  be  established  in 
the  top  of  the  mountains,  and  it  shall  be  exalted  above  the 
hills;  and  people  shall  flow  into  it.  And  many  nations 
shall  .come,  and  say,  Come,  and  let  us  go  up  to  the  moun- 
tain of  the  Lord,  and  to  the  house  of  the  God  of  Jacob; 
and  he  will  teach  us  of  his  ways,  and  we  will  walk  in  His 
paths:  for  the  law  shall  go  forth  of  Zion,  and  the  word 
of  the  Lord  from  Jerusalem."  Mic.  4:1-2. 


170  JESUS  IS  COMING. 

"Thus  saith  the  Lord  of  hosts;  it  shall  yet  come  tc  pass, 
f^at  there  shall  come  people,  and  the  inhabitants  of  many 
c;t!ea.  And  the  inhabitants  of  one  city  shall  go  to  another, 
saying;  Let  us  go  speedily  to  pray  before  the  Lord,  and  to 
seek  the  Lord  of  hosts:  I  will  also  go.  Yea,  MANY  PEOPLE 
and  STRONG  NATIONS  shall  come  to  seek  the  Lord  of  hosts 
in  Jerusalem,  and  to  pray  before  the  Lord.  Thus  saith  the 
Lord  of  hosts;  In  those  days  it  shall  come  to  pass,  that  ten 
men  shall  take  hold  out  of  all  languages  of  the  nations, 
even  shall  take  hold  of  the  skirt  of  him  that  is  a  Jew, 
saying,  We  will  go  with  you:  for  we  have  heard  that  God 
Is  with  you."  Zech.  8:20-23. 

"And  it  shall  come  to  pass,  THAT  EVERY  ONE  THAT  is  LEFT 
OF  ALL  THE  NATIONS  which  came  against  Jerusalem,  shall 
even  go  up  from  year  to  year  to  worship  the  King,  the  Lord 
of  hosts,  and  to  keep  the  feast  of  tabernacles."  Zech.  14:16. 

In  the  first  Restoration,  because  of  their  blindness,  and 
hard,  stony  hearts,  they  rejected  and  killed  Jesus.  But  in 
the  future  Restoration  they  shall  REPENT  of  all  this,  and 
have  CLEAN  HEARTS,  and  ACCEPT  OF  CHRIST,  who  will  be  their 
King. 

Look  Upon  Me. 

"And  I  will  pour  upon  the  house  of  David,  and  upon  the 
inhabitants  of  Jerusalem,  the  spirit  of  grace  and  of  suppli- 
cations; and  they  shall  look  upon  me  whom  they  have 
PIERCED,  AND  THEY  SHALL  MOURN  FOR  HIM,  AS  ONE  MOURN- 
ETH  FOR  HIS  ONLY  SON,  AND  SHALL  BE  IN  BITTERNESS  FOR 
HIM,  AS  ONE  THAT  IS  IN  BITTERNESS  FOR  HIS  FIRST-BORN. 

In  that  day  there  shall  be  a  great  mourning  in  Jerusalem, 
as  the  mourning  of  Hadadrimmon  in  the  valley  of  Megid- 
don.  And  the  land  shall  mourn,  every  family  apart;  the 
family  of  the  house  of  David  apart,  and  their  wives  apart; 
the  family  of  the  house  of  Nathan  apart,  and  their  wives 
apart;  the  family  of  the  house. of  Levi  apart,  and  their 
wives  apart;  the  family  of  Shimei  apart,  and  their  wives 
apart;  all  the  families  that  remain,  every  family  apart,  and 
their  wives  apart."  Zech.  12:10-14. 

"They  shall  .come  with  weeping  and  with  supplications 
will  I  lead  them;  I  will  cause  them  to  walk  by  the  rivers 
of  waters  in  a  straight  way,  wherein  they  shall  not  stumble: 
for  I  am  a  father  to  Israel,  and  Ephraim  is  my  first-born. 
Hear  the  word  of  the  Lord,  O  ye  nations,  and  declare  it  in 
the  isles  afar  off,  and  say,  He  that  scattereth  Israel  will 
g-ather  him.  and  keep  him,  as  a  shepherd  doth  his  flock. 
But  this  shall  be  the  covenant  that  I  will  make  with  the 
house  of  Israel;  after  those  days,  saith  the  Lord,  I  will  put 
my  law  in  their  INWARD  PARTS,  AND  WRITE  IT  IN  THEIR 
HEARTS;  and  will  be  their  God,  and  they  shall  be  my  peo- 
r>le."  Jer.  31:9,  10,  33. 


RESTORATION    OF   ISRAEL.  171 


The  Cleansing  of  Israel. 

"For  I  will  take  you  from  among  the  heathen,  and  gather 
you  out  of  all  countries,  and  will  bring  you  into  your  own 
land.  Then  will  I  sprinkle  clean  water  upon  you,  and  you 
shall  be  clean:  from  all  your  filthiness,  and  from  all  your 
idols,  will  I  cleanse  you.  A  new  heart  also  will  I  give  you. 
and  a  new  spirit  will  I  put  within  you;  and  I  will  take  away 
the  stony  heart  out  of  your  flesh,  and  I  will  give  you  a 
heart  of  flesh.  And  I  will  put  my  Spirit  within  you,  and 
cause  you  to  walk  in  my  statutes,  and  ye  shall  keep  my 
judgments,  and  do  them.  And  ye  shall  dwell  in  the  land 
that  I  gave  to  your  fathers;  and  ye  shall  be  my  people, 
and  I  will  be  your  God.  I  will  also  save  you  from  all  your 
uncleanness:  and  I  will  call  for  the  corn,  and  will  increase 
it,  and  lay  no  famine  upon  you."  Ezek.  36:24-28. 

"Neither  shall  they  defile  themselves  any  more  with  their 
idols  nor  with  their  detestable  things,  nor  with  any  of  their 
transgressions;  but  I  will  save  them  out  of  all  their  dwell- 
ing places,  wherein  they  have  sinned,  and  will  cleanse 
them;  so  shall  they  be  my  people,  and  I  will  be  their  God. 
And  David  my  servant  shall  be  king  over  them;  and  they 
all  shall  have  one  shepherd:  .  .  .  and  they  shall  dwell 
in  the  land  that  I  have  given  unto  Jacob  my  servant,  where- 
in your  fathers  have  dwelt;  and  they  shall  dwell  therein, 
even  they  and  their  children,  and  their  .children's  children, 
forever:  and  my  servant  David  shall  be  their  prince,  for- 
ever, .  .  .  my  tabernacle  shall  also  be  with  them:  yea,  I 
will  be  their  God  and  they  shall  be  my  people."  Ezek.  37:23- 
27. 

"And  I  will  gather  the  remnant  of  my  flock  out  of  all 
countries  whither  I  have  driven  them,  and  will  bring  them 
again  to  their  folds;  and  they  shall  be  fruitful  and  increase. 
And  I  will  set  up  shepherds  over  them  which  shall  feed 
them:  and  they  shall  fear  no  more,  nor  be  dismayed,  neither 
shall  they  be  lacking,  saith  the  Lord.  Behold,  the  days 
come,  saith  the  Lord,  that  I  will  raise  to  David  a  righteous 
Branch  and  a  King  shall  reign  and  prosper,  and  shall  exe- 
cute judgment  and  justice  in  the  earth.  In  his  days  Judah 
shall  be  saved,  and  Israel  shall  dwell  safely:  and  this  is 
his  name  whereby  he  shall  be  called,  'THE  LORD  OUR 
RIGHTEOUSNESS.'"  [Jehovah,  Tsidkenu,]  Jer.  23:3-6. 

"And  I  will  set  up  one  shepherd  over  them,  and  he  shall 
feed  them,  even  my  servant  David:  he  shall  feed  them,  and 
he  shall  be  their  shepherd.  And  I  the  Lord  will  be  their 
God,  and  my  servant  David  a  prince  among  them;  I  the 
Lord  have  spoken  it."  Ezek.  34:23-24. 

Nothing  has  ever  yet  been  built  like  the  temple  •which 
Ezekiel  describes  in  chapters  40  to  48,  and  this  includes  a 


172  JESUS  IS  COMING. 

definite  description  of  the  location  of  each  tribe,  as  they 
shall  be  settled  in  this  great  future  restoration.  See  Ch. 
48. 

Confusing  Israel  with  the  Church. 

It  would  seem  that  such  overwhelming  testimony  would 
convince  every  fair-minded  reader,  that  there  is  a  glorious 
future  restoration  in  store  for  Israel.  And  yet,  many  say, 
that  we  must  interpret  all  this  Scripture  "spiritually,"  and 
they  fritter  away  the  point  and  the  force  of  such  explicit 
declarations,  in  attempting  to  apply  them  to  the  persecuted 
Church. 

This  is  a  very  great  error,  and  we  believe  it  has  arisen, 
principally,  from  a  misunderstanding  of  Paul's  arguments 
in  his  epistles.  He  does  not  confound  Israel  with  the 
Church  when  he  says,  "They  are  not  all  Israel  which  are  of 
Israel."  Nor  does  he  confound  the  Church  with  Israel 
when  he  makes  us  children  of  Abraham  by  faith;  but  he 
demonstrates  that  we  all  stand  by  faith  alone.  In  1  Cor. 
10  :32,1T  he  makes  a  clear  distinction  between  the  Jews,  the 
Gentiles,  and  the  Church  of  God.*  There  are  special  bless- 
ings for  the  Church,  and  special  blessings  for  Israel.  He 
plainly  shows  that  not  all  the  natural  seed  are  true  Israel- 
ites. He  only  is  a  Jew  who  has  circumcision  of  heart  in 
the  spirit.18  And  though  multitudes  of  Israel  have  passed 
away  in  unbelief,  still  Paul  distinctly  declares  that  there 
is  a  remnant  WHICH  SHALL  BE  SAVED.19  He  so  loved  them 
that  he  could  sacrifice  himself,  and  even  be  separated  from 
Christ  for  their  sakes.20  He  saw  their  future  glory,  as  the 

*The  Jews  who  accept  Christ  in  this  dispensation  become 
part  of  the  Church.  See  page  88. 

(17)  1  Cor.  10  :32.  Give  none  the  number  of  the  children  of 
offence,  neither  to  the  Jews,  nor  Israel  be  as  the  sand  of  the  sea, 
to  the  Gentiles,  nor  to  the  church  a  remnant  shall  be  saved. 

°f          *' 


heart,    in   the  spirit,   and  not   in 

the    letter;    whose   praise   is    not  (20)    Rom.   9:3.     For  I   could 

Of  men,  but  of  God.  wish    that   myself  were  accursed 

(19)    Rom.  9:27.     Esaias  also  from  Christ  for  my  brethren,  my 

crieth  concerning  Israel,  Though  kinsmen    according   to   the    flesh. 


RESTORATION    OF   ISRAEL.  173 

natural  branches  yet  to  be  grafted  into  their  own  olive  tree, 
which  should  be  nothing  less  than  life  from  the  dead.21 
Jesus  said,  in  Luke  21:24,  "And  they  shall  fall  by  the 
edge  of  the  sword,  and  shall  be  led  away  captive  into 
all  nations;  and  Jerusalem  shall  be  trodden  down  of  the 
Gentiles,  until  the  times  of  the  Gentiles  be  fulfilled."  And 
Paul  understood  this  mystery,  that  when  "the  fullness  of 
the  Gentiles  be  come  in,"  "there  should  come  out  of  Zion 
the  Deliverer,  who  should  turn  away  ungodliness  from 
Jacob."  Rom.  11:25-26. 

And  this  is  fully  confirmed  by  the  following:  In  Amos  8 
and  9,  we  read  of  the  awful  calamities  which  should  come 
upon  Israel.  And  not  until  they  had  been  SIFTED  AMONG 
ALL  NATIONS  would  the  Lord  gather  and  plant  them,  and 
raise  up  the  tabernacle  of  David  that  is  fallen.  When  the 
apostles  and  elders  were  gathered  in  the  first  council  at 
Jerusalem,  considering  this  same  question  about  Israelites 
and  the  Church,  the  Holy  Spirit  directed  the  mind  of 
James  to  this  very  prophecy  in  Amos,  to  show  that  during 
this  sifting  of  Israel,  God  was  to  TAKE  OUT  of  the  Gentiles  a 
people  to  His  name,  and  AFTER  THIS  to  build  again  the 
tabernacle  of  David.  Acts  15 :13-17.  So  we  see  that  these 
restoration  prophecies  can  not  be  applied  to  the  Church, 
which  is  first  to  be  TAKEN  OUT  before  Israel  and  Jerusalem 
are  to  be  restored. 

Again,  one  of  the  most  specific  prophecies  of  their  re- 
storation is  addressed,  not  to  the  people,  but  to  the  MOUN- 
TAINS OF  ISRAEL,  which  leaves  no  possible  doubt  as  to  the 
LITERAL  MEANING  intended.22 

(21)  Rom.  11:15.     For  if  the      my  people  of  Israel;  for  they  are 
casting    away    of    them    te    the      at  hand  to  come. 

reconciling    of    the    world,    what          9.  For,  behold,   I  am  for  you, 

shall   the   receiving   of  them   be,  and  I  will  turn  unto  you,  and  ye 

but  life  from  the  dead?  shall  be  tilled  and  sown: 

(22)  Ezek.   36:1.     Also,  thou          10.  And   I   will   multiply  men 
son    of   man,    prophesy   unto    the  upon  you,  all  the  house  of  Israe'., 
mountains  of  Israel,  and  say,  Ye  even    all    of    it :"    and    the    cities 
mountains    of    Israel,    hear    the  shall     be     inhabited,     and     tho 
word  of  the  Lord :  wastes  shall  be  builded : 

8.  But  ye,  O  mountains  of  Is-  '  11.  And  I  will  multiply  upon 
rael,  ye  shall  shoot  forth  your  you  man  and  beast ;  and  they 
branches,  and  yield  your  fruit  to  shall  increase  and  bring  fruit: 


174  JESUS  IS  COMING. 


The  Day  of  Jacob's  Trouble. 

Surely  Israel  SHALL  BE  RESTORED;  but  there  is  an  AWFUL 
TIME  OF  TROUBLE  awaiting  her.  Their  sins  are  mountain 
high.  Upon  them  is  the  guilt  of  innocent  blood,  even  the 
precious  blood  of  Jesus  Christ.  Mat.  27:25. 

The  faithful  prophet  saw  it  when  he  wrote : 

"And  these  are  the  words  that  the  Lord  spake  concern- 
ing Israel  and  concerning  Judah. 

"For  thus  saith  the  Lord:  We  have  heard  a  voice  of 
trembling,  c?  fear,  and  not  of  peace. 

"Ask  ye  now,  and  see  whether  a  man  doth  travail  with 
child?  wherefore  do  I  see  every  man  with  his  hands  on  his 
loins,  as  a  woman  in  travail,  and  all  faces  are  turned  into 
paleness. 

"Alas!  for  that  day  is  great,  so  that  none  is  like  it:  it  is 
even  the  time  of  Jacob's  trouble;  but  he  shall  be  saved  out 
of  it."  Jer.  30:4-7. 

/'Then  shall  ye  remember  your  own  evil  ways,  and  your 
doings  that  were  not  good,  and  shall  loathe  yourselves  in 
your  own  sight  for  your  iniquities  and  for  your  abomina- 
tions." Ezek,  36:31. 

Yes,  they  shall  repent  and  loathe  themselves. 

They  "shall  pass  through  the  sea  with  affliction."23 

Many  shall  die,  but  the  third  part  shall  be  saved. 

and  I  will  settle  you  after  your  come   upon   the   four  corners   of 

old    estates,    and    will    do    better  the  land. 

unto   you   than    at    your   begin-  3.  Now  is  the  end  come  upon 

nings  ;  and  ye  shall  know  that  I  thee,  and  I  will  send  mine  anger 

am  the   Lord.  upon   thee,    and   will   judge   thee 

(23)   Zech.     10-11.       And    he  according  to  thy  ways,   and  will 

shall  pass  through  the  sea  with  recompense    upon   thee   all   thine 

affliction,     and    shall    smite    the  abominations, 

waves    in    the    sea,    and    all    the  4-  And    mJne     eTe     sha11    n°t 

deeps  of  the  river  shall  dry  up ;  spare   thee,   neither   will    I    have 

and  the  pride  of  Assyria  shall  be  P{ty :   but  I  will   recompense  thy 

brought    down,    and    the    sceptre  'ways  upon  thee,  and  thine  abom- 

of  Egypt  shall   depart  away.  inations  shall  be  in  the  midst  of 

thee ;   and  ye  shall  know  that  I 

Ezek.     7:1.       Moreover      the  Qm  the   ^^ 

word  of  the  Lord  came  unto  me,  8    Now  will  j  shortly  pour  out 

saying,  my  fury  upon  thee,   and  accom- 

2.  Also,  thou  son  of  man,  thus  plish  mine  anger  upon  thee  ;  and 

saith  the  Lord  God  unto  the  land  I    will    Judge    thee    according    to 

of   Israel ;   An.   end,    the   end    is  thy   ways,    and   will    recompense 


RESTORATION    OF   ISRAEL.  175 

"And  I  will  bring  the  THIRD  PART  through  the  fire,  and 
will  refine  them  as  silver  is  refined,  and  will  try  them  as 
gold  is  tried;  they  shall  call  on  my  name  and  I  will  hear 
them;  I  will  say,  it  is  my  people;  and  they  shall  say,  the 
Lord  is  my  God."  Zech.  13:9. 

All  this  is  intimately  connected  with  the  coming  of 
Christ,  not  at  the  Rapture,  but  at  the  Revelation.  (See 
diagram  page  72.) 

For  we  read,  "When  the  Lord  shall  build  up  Zion,  HE 

SHALL  APPEAR  IN    HlS   GLORY."      Psa.    102:16. 

It  is  when  He  appears  with  His  saints  (the  Church)  in 
flaming  fire  to  execute  judgment  (2  Thes.  1:7-10;  Jude  14) 
upon  the  nations  and  upon  Israel,  who  are  the  third  party 
in  Mat.  25 :36,  etc.,24  and  who  are  not  to  be  reckoned  among 
the  nations.  Nu.  23 :9.  It  is  when  He  sits  as  a  refiner  and 
purifier. 

"Behold  I  will  send  my  messenger,  and  he  shall  prepare 
the  way  before  me;  and  the  Lord  whom  ye  seek,  shall  sud- 
denly come  to  His  temple,  even  the  messenger  of  the  cove- 
nant, whom  ye  delight  in:  behold,  He  shall  come,  saith  the 
Lord  of  hosts. 

"But  who  may  abide  the  day  of  His  coming?  and  who 
shall  stand  when  He  appeareth?  for  He  is  like  a  refiner's 
fire,  and  like  fuller's  soap. 

"And  he  shall  sit  as  a  refiner  and  purifier  of  silver;  and 
He  shall  purify  the  sons  of  Levi,  and  purge  them  as  gold 
and  silver,  that  they  may  offer  unto  the  Lord  an  offering  in 
righteousness. 

"Then  shall  the  offering  of  Judah  and  Jerusalem  be 
pleasant  unto  the  Lord,  as  in  the  days  of  old,  and  as  in 
former  years. 

"And  I  will  come  near  you  to  judgment;  and  I  will  be 
a  swift  witness  against  the  sorcerers,  and  against  the 
adulterers,  and  against  false  swearers,  and  against  those 
that  oppress  the  hireling  in  his  wages,  the  widow,  and  the 
fatherless,  and  that  turn  aside  the  stranger  from  his  right, 
and  fear  not  me,  saith  the  Lord  of  hosts."  Mai.  3:1-5. 

"He  shall  indeed  refine  Israel  in  the   furnace   of   af- 

thee  for  all  thine  abominations'.  (24)    Mat.    25 :40.      And     the 

9.  And    mine    eye    shall     not  King  shall   answer  and  say  unto 

spare,   neither  will   I   have  pity :  them.    Verily    I    say    unto    you, 

I   will    recompense    thee    accord-  Inasmuch  as  ye  have  done  it  un- 

ing  to  thy  ways  and  thine  abom-  to  one  of  the  least  of  these  my 

inations  that  are  in  the  midst  of  brethren,   ye   have  done  it  unto 

thee ;   and  ye   shall  know  that  I  me. 
am   the   Lord  that   smiteth. 


176  JESUS  IS  COMING. 

fliction."25     And  they  shall   arise  and  shine,  for  THEIB 

LIGHT  SHALL  COME.26 

Arise  and  shine  in  youth  immortal, 
Thy  light  is  come,  thy  King  appears! 

Beyond  the  centuries'   swinging  portal, 
Breaks  a  new  dawn— THE  THOUSAND  YEARS! 

We  might  fill  a  book  with  comments  upon  how  Israel 
shall  be  restored,  but  all  we  have  desired  to  do  was  to  show 
that  it  is  an  incontrovertible  fact  of  prophecy,  and  that  it  is 
intimately  connected  with  our  Lord's  appearing,  and  this 
we  trust  we  have  satisfactorily  accomplished. 

The  detail  of  the  manner  of  their  restoration,  and  of 
their  repentance  and  acceptance  of  Christ,  is  not  so  im- 
portant to  us.  For  those  who  are  of  the  Church  are  to 
be  taken  away  first,  in  the  Rapture,  and  escape  all  these 
things  through  which  Israel  must  pass.27 

True,  many  have  found  the  scudy  of  this  detail  a  rich 
blessing,  and  we  give  the  result  which  one  has  reached  on 
pages  187  to  195,  and  yet  we  believe  that  we  cannot  now 
discern  the  order  of  these  things  so  clearly  as  Israel  will 
in  the  great  rush  of  events,  after  the  Church  is  taken 
away,  and  when  the  Book  is  more  completely  unsealed  and 
opened.  Dan.  12:4. 

It  is  enough  for  us  to  know  that  it  will  be  in  the  LATTER 
DAYS  (Isa.  2:2)  that  Antichrist  is  to  be  revealed  and 
destroyed  by  Jesus  the  King  of  the  Jews,  who  is  coming 
(2  Thes.  2:8),  and  that  Israel,  His  people,  "are  at  hand  to 
come."  Ezk.  36 :8. 

(25)  Isa.     48:10.      Behold,     I  3.  And  the  Gentiles  shall  come 
have   refined   thee,   but   not   with      to    thy    light,    and    kings    to    the 
silver ;    I    have    chosen    thee    in      brightness  of  thy  rising. 

the  furnace  of  affliction.  4    L}ft  tw  roun!l 

Psa.  66:10.     For  thou,  O  God        about    and   see .   all   tn  ther 

hast  proved  us :   thou  hast  tried      themselves    together,    they    come 

Ml,£V  JVeP  £  *red\   ,  t(>    thee:    thy    sons    shall    come 

(26)  Isa    60:1.     Arise,  shine;       from  far  and  th     daughters  shall 

for   thy   light   is  come     and   the  be  nurged  at  th    side 
glory  of  the  Lord  is  risen  upon 

thee.  (27)   Luke   21:36.     Watch   ye 

2.  For,    behold,    the    darkness  therefore,  and  pray  always,  that 

shall  cover  the  earth,  and  gross  ye   may  be   accounted  worthy   to 

darkness    the    people :     but    the  escape  all  these  things  that  shall 

Lord  shall  arise  upon  thee,  and  come  to  pass,  and  to  Stand  before 

his  glory  shall  be  seen  upon  thee.  the  Son  of  man. 


CHAPTER  XVI. 
The  Study  of  Prophecy. 

It  may  be  you  disapprove  the  study  of  prophecy,  because 
Jesus  said:  "But  of  that  day  and  hour  knoweth  no  man" 
(Mat.  24:36),  and,  "It  is  not  for  you  to  know  the  times 
or  the  seasons  which  the  Father  hath  put  in  his  own 
power."  Acts  1 :7. 

Dear  reader !  do  not  conceive  that  the  study  of  prophecy 
consists  merely  in  the  setting  of  dates  or  forecasting  future 
events.  For  wise  reasons  the  Master  has  withheld  from  us 
"the  day  and  the  hour"  when  He  will  come,  but  He  called 
the  Pharisees  hypocrites,  because  they  could  not  discern  the 
signs  of  the  times,  and  He  has  commanded  us  to  WATCH, 
and  he  has  pronounced  a  blessing  upon  the  study  of  proph- 
ecy.1 

Peter  exhorts  us  to  GIVE  HEED  unto  the  sure  word  of 
prophecy.2  "All  Scripture  is  given  by  inspiration  of  God, 
and  is  profitable  for  doctrine,  for  reproof,  for  correction, 
for  instruction  in  righteousness."  2  Tim.  3:16. 

The  greater  part  of  this  Scripture  consists  of  prophecy, 
and  if  Christians  would  give  more  attention  to  it,  they 
would  not  find  themselves  distracted  from  present  service, 
but  "they  would  find  much  light  thrown  on  their  present 
path,  much  practical  encouragement  given  to  their  minis- 
try." Their  faith  would  rest  upon  a  broader  and  deeper 
comprehension  of  God's  character  and  ways,  and  their 
spiritual  horizon  would  stand  out  in  clearer  outline  than 
before. 

(1)   Rev.    1:3.     Blessed  is  he  Luke  11:28.  But  he  said,  Yea, 

that  readeth,  and  they  that  hear  rather,  blessed  are  they  that  hear 

the  words  of  this  prophecy,   and  the  word  of  God,   and  keep  it. 

keep  those  things  which  are  writ-  (2)    2  Pet.  1 :19.  And  we  have 

ten   therein :    for   the   time  is   at  the  word  of  prophecy  made  more 

hand.  sure ;   whereunto  ye  do  well  that 

Rev.    22 :7.      Behold,    I    come  ye   take    heed,    as   unto    a  lamp 

quickly :  blessed  is  he  that  keep-  shining    in    a    dark    place,    until 

eth  the  sayings  of  the  prophecy  the   day  dawn,  and  the  day-star 

of   this   book.  arise  IB  your  hearts. 

(177) 


178 


JESUS  IS  COMING. 


"But  to  Berceive  and  understand  all  this  requires  much 
more  than  a  surface  study  of  Scripture,  or  the  mere  fore- 
casting of  future  events.  It  must  be  read  in  its  prof ounder 
teachings,  in  those  wonderful  depths  of  meaning  that  under- 
lie its  illustrations,  its  metaphors,  its  history,  as  well  as 
sparkle  up  to  the  sunlight,  hi  its  bright  prophetic  'an- 
nouncement of  coming  glory."  Such  a  study  of  God's 
word  will  be  found  of  paramount  importance  to  meet  the' 
skepticism  of  the  day,  "for  it  furnishes  us  out  of  God's  own 
armory,  and  trains  us  in  His  school  of  warfare."  See  how 
God  uses  prophetic  truth  to  confound  the  philosophers  and 
skeptics.3  And  He  points  to  the  prophecies  fulfilled  as  an 
assurance  of  the  accomplishment  of  the  new  things  de- 
clared by  Him.  "Before  they  spring  forth  I  tell  you  of 
them."4  And  He  sets  forth  Israel  as  the  WITNESSES  be- 
fore all  nations  of  the  Word  He  has  declared  and  that  He 
is  God.6 

And  such  they  *rc  to-day. 

Prophecy  is  their  history. 

Who  but  God  couid  thus  preserve  them? 


(3)  Isa.  41 :21.     Produce  your 
cause,     saith    the     Lord;    bring 
forth  your  strons:  reasons,  saith 
the  King  of  Jacob. 

22.  Let      them      bring      them 
forth,    and    show   us   what   shall 
happen :  let  them  show  the  for- 
mer things,    what   they    be,   that 
we  may  consider  them,  and  know 
the   latter   end   of  them ;   or   de- 
clare us  things  for  to  come. 

23.  Show   the   things  that  are 
to  come  hereafter,  that  we  may 
know  that  ye  are  gods ;  yea,  do 
good,    or    do    evil    that    we    may 
be    dismayed,    and  behold   it  to- 
gether. 

(4)  Isa.     42 :8.       I     am    the 
Lord ;  that  is  my  name :  and  my 
glory  will  I  not  give  to  another, 
neither  my  praise  to  graven  im- 
ages. 

9.  Behold,  the  former  things 
are  come  to  pass,  and  new  things 
do  I  declare :  before  they  spring 
forth  I  tell  you  of  them. 


(5)   Isa.    43:9.      Let    all    the 

nations  be  gathered  together,  and 
let  the  people  be  assembled :  who 
among  them  can  declare  this, 
and  show  us  former  things'?  let 
them  bring  forth  their  witnesses, 
that  they  may  be  justified :  or 
let  them  hear,  and  say,  It  is 
truth. 

10.  Ye  are  my  witnesses,  saith 
the  Lord,  and  my  servant  whom 
I    have    chosen ;    that    ye    may 
know    and    believe    me,    and    un- 
derstand  that   I   am   he:   before 
me    there    was    no    God    formed, 
neither  shall  there  be  after  me. 

11.  I,    even   I,   am  the  Lord ; 
and  besides  me  there  is  no  sa- 
viour. 

12.  I  have  declared,  and  have 
saved,  and  I  have  showed,  when 
there  was  no  strange  god  among 
you :   therefore   ye   are   my   wit- 
nesses, saith  the  Lord,  that  I  am 
God. 


PROPHECY   THE   BEST  WEAPON.  179 

Who  but  God  could  foretell  their  history? 

"This  weapon  alone  out  of  God's  armory  can  cut 
through  all  the  sophistries  and  opposition  of  men." 

God  forbid  then  that  we  should  despise  prophecies.  1 
Thes.  5:20.  (Trpo^rctas— Prophecies.) 

"0  Earth,  Earth,  Earth,  hear  the  Word  of  the  Lord." 
Jer.  22:29. 


CHAPTER  XVII. 
A  Practical  Doctrine. 

We  have  asserted  that  this  truth  of  the  coming  of  the 
Lord  is  eminently  practical.  In  proof  of  this,  we  here  ap- 
pend the  following  references,  to  show  how  Jesus  and  the 
Apostles  used  the  prophecies  of  His  coming  again  as  t 
motive  to  incite  us. 

1.  To  watchfulness,— Mat.  24 :42-44 ;  25 :13 ;  Mark  13 :32- 

37;  Lu.  12:35-38;  Rev.  16:15. 

2.  To  Sobriety,—     1  Thes.  5:2-6;  1  Pet.  1:13;  4:7;  5:8. 

3.  To  repentance,—  Acts  3 :19-21 ;  Rev.  3 :3. 

4.  To  fidelity,—  Mat.  25:19-21;  Lu.  12:42-44;  19:12-13. 

5.  Not  to  be  ashamed  of  Christ,—  Mar.  8:38. 

6.  Against  worldliness,—  Mat.  16:26-27 

7.  To  moderation  or  mildness, —  Phil.  4:5. 

8.  To  patience,—  Heb.  10:36-37;  James  5:7-8. 

9.  To  mortification  of  fleshly  lusts,—  Col.  3 :3-5. 

10.  To  sincerity,—  Phil.  1 :9-10. 

11.  To   the    practical   sanctification    of   the   entire 

being,—  1  Thes.  5 :23. 

12.  To  ministerial  faithfulness,—  2  Tim.  4:1-2. 

13.  To    induce,    obedience    to    the    Apostle's    in- 

junctions,— 1  Tim.  6:13-14. 

14.  To  pastoral  diligence  and  purity,—  1  Pet.  5:2-4. 

15.  To  purify  ourselves, —  1  John   3 :2-3. 

16.  To  abide  in  Christ,—  1  John  2:28. 

17.  To    endure    manifold    temptations  and    the 

severest  trial  of  faith,—  1  Pet.  1:7. 

18.  To   bear   persecution     for    the    sake   of    our 

Lord,—  1  Pet.  4:13. 

19.  To  holy  conversation  and  godliness, —  2  Pet.  3 :11-13. 

20.  To  brotherly  love,—  1  Thes.  3 :12-13. 

21.  To  keep  in  mind  our  heavenly  citizenship,— 

Phil.  3:20-21. 

22.  To  love  the  second  coming  of  Christ,—     2  Tim.  4:7-8. 

23.  To  look  for  Him,-  Heb.  9:27-23, 

(180) 


A  PRACTICAL  DOCTEINE.  181 

24.  To  confidence  that  Christ  will  finish  the  work,— 

Phil.  1:6. 

25.  To  hold  fast  the  hope  firm  unto  the  end, — 

Rev.  2:25;  3:11. 

26.  To  separation  from  worldly  lusts  and  to  live 

Godly,—  Titus  2:11-13. 

27.  To  watchfulness  because  of  its  suddenness,— 

Lu.  17:24-30. 

28.  To  guard  against  hasty  judgment, —          1  Cor.  4:5. 

29.  To  the  hope  of  a  rich  reward,—  Mat.  19:27-28. 

30.  To  assure  the  disciples  of  a  time  of  rejoicing.— 

2  Cor.  1:14;  Phil.  2:16;  1  Thes.  2:19. 

31.  To  comfort  the  apostles  in  view  of  Christ's  de- 

parture from  them, —  John  14:3;  Acts  1:11. 

32.  Practical    faith    in    the    second    coming,    is    a 

crowning  grace  and  assurance  of  blameless- 
ness  in  the  day  of  the  Lord,—  1  Cor.  1:4-8. 

33.  It   is   the   principal   event   for    which    the    be- 

liever waits,—  1  Thes.  1 :9-10. 

34.  It  is  declared  to  be  the  time  of  reckoning  with 

the  servants,—  Mat.  25:19. 

35.  Of  judgment  for  the  living  nations,—  Mat.  25 :31-46. 

36.  Of  the  resurrection  of  the  saints,—  1  Cor.  15:23. 

37.  Of  the  manifestation  of  the  saints,— 

2  Cor.  5:10;  Col.  3:4. 

38.  It  is  declared  to  be  the  source  of  consolation 

to  those  who  sorrow  over  the  dead  who  sleep 

in  Jesus,—  1  Thes.  4:14-18. 

39.  It  is  declared  to  be  the  time  of  Tribulation  to 

unbelievers,—  2  Thes.  1:7-9. 

40.  It  is  proclaimed  every  time  the  Lord's  Supper 

is  celebrated,—  1  Cor.  11:26. 

Such  are  some  of  the  uses  made  of  this  doctrine  in  the 
New  Testament.  It  is  employed  to  arm  the  appeals,  to 
point  the  arguments,  and  to  enforce  the  exhortations. 
What  is  there  more  PRACTICAL  in  any  other  doctrine?  We 
would  that  we  had  space  to  give  the  passages  referred  to 
in  full.  But  it  will  be  a  greater  blessing  to  you,  dear 
reader,  if  you  will  go  to  the  Word  and  search  them  out. 


182  JESUS  IS  COMING. 

We  have  made  no  distinction  between  those  passages  which 
refer  to  the  Rapture,  and  those  which  refer  to  the  Revela- 
tion, both  classes  being  equally  used  as  a  motive  for  the 
practical  purposes  mentioned. 

The  following  outline  and  arrangement  of  Scripture  has 
been  taken  principally  from  a  little  pamphlet  published  in 
London.  It  is  a  concise  view  of  the  pre-millennial  coming, 
with  plain  proof-texts  of  the  same,  conveniently  arranged 
for  reference  and  study.  As  the  texts  cited  are  necessarily 
brief,  it  will  be  found  of  great  profit  to  read  the  context  of 
each  in  the  Word. 

In  connection  with  the  diagrams  on  pages  72  and  225,  we 
believe  it  will  enable  every  prayerful  reader  to  apprehend 
the  order  of  events  that  pertain  to  the  coming  of  Christ, 
both  as  THE  BRIDEGROOM  and  as  THE  KING. 


CHAPTER  XVIII. 
THE  COMING  OF  THE  LORD 


And  Some  Subsequent  Events  in  Their  Connection  with 
the  Church's  Future. 


"Howbelt,  when  He,  the  Spirit  of  truth  la  come, . 
things  to  come."    John  16:13. 


He  will  snow  yon 


THE  LORD'S 
PROMISE. 


His 

Faithfulness. 


The  Hope  of 
the  Church.(b) 


"I  go  to  prepare  a  place  for  you.  And  if 
I  go  and  prepare  a  place  for  you,  I  will 
come  again,  and  receive  you  unto  myself." 

Jno.  14:2,  3. 

"I  go  away,  and  come  again  unto  you." 

Jno.  14:28. 

"A  little  while,  and  ye  shall  not  see  me: 

and  again  a  little  while,  and  ye  shall  see 

me,  because  I  go  to  the  Father."  Jno.  16:16. 

"I  will  see  you   again,  and  your  heart 

shall  rejoice."  Jno.  16:22. 

"The  Lord  is  not  slack  concerning  His 

promise."  2  Pet.  3:9. 

"Let  us  hold  fast  the  confession  of  our 

hope   (a)    without    wavering;     for    He    is 

faithful  that  promised;    .   .   .  and  so  much 

the  more  as  ye  see  the  day  approaching." 

He.  10:23,  25. 

"For  yet  a  little  while,  and  He  that 
shall  come  will  come,  and  will  not  tarry." 

He.  10:37. 

"The  coming  of  the  Lord  draweth  nigh." 

James  5:8. 
"Surely  I  come  quickly:    Amen." 

Rev.   22:20. 

"Unto  them  that  look  for  Him  shall  He 
appear  the  second  time,  without  sin,  unto 
salvation."  He.  9:28. 


(a)   So  the  Greek. 

<b)  All  believers  of  the  present  dispensation. 

(183) 


1  Co.  12:12,   13,  27. 


184 


JESUS  IS  COMING. 


THE  COMING 
of  the  LORD 

as  the  Bride- 
groom, into 

the  Air,  for  His 
Church,  (c) 

The  Dead  in 
Christ  raised. 


"Our  conversation  (&)  Is  in  heaven;  from 
whence  also  we  look  for  the  Savior,  the 
Lord  Jesus  Christ."  Ph.  3:20. 

"Waiting  for  the  adoption,  to- wit,  the 
redemption  of  our  body."  Rom.  8:23. 

"Waiting  for  the  coming  of  our  Lord 
Jesus  Christ."  1  Cor.  1:7. 

"Looking  for  that  blessed  hope." 

Ti.  2:13. 
"The  patient  waiting  for  Christ." 

2  Th.  3:5. 

"To  wait  for  His  Son  from  heaven, 
whom  He  raised  from  the  dead,  even 
Jesus."  1  Th.  1:10. 

THE  RAPTURE. 

"The  Lord  Himself  (d)  shall  descend 
from  heaven  with  a  shout,  (e)  with  the 
voice  of  the  archangel  and  with  the  trump 
of  God."  (/)  1  Th.  4:16. 

"At  the  last  trump  (0;  for  the  trumpet 
shall  sound."  1  Cor.  15:52. 

"Them  also  which  sleep  in  Jesus  will 
God  bring  with  him."  (0)  1  Th.  4:14. 

"The  dead  in  Christ  shall  rise 
first"  1  Th.  4:16. 

"In  Christ  shall  all  be  made  alive.  .  .  . 

They   that   are   Christ's  at  His   coming." 

1  Cor.  15:22,  23. 

"The  dead  shall  be  raised  incorrupti- 
ble." 1  Cor.  15:52. 

"Raised  in  incorruption;  .  .  .  raised  in 
glory;  .  .  .  raised  in  power;  .  .  .  raised 
a  spiritual  body."  1  Cor.  15:42-44. 


(b)  Or    "Citizenship."     see    Jno. 
17:16;    Ep.    2:19;    He.    11:10, 
13,   16;   12:22. 

(c)  "Watch,     therefore;     for    ye 
know    not    what    hour    your 
Lord    doth    come."    Mk.    13: 
32,    37;    1   Th.    5:6. 

(d)  That      is,      personally,      yet 
seen   by  none  but  believers; 
vide  Jno.   14:19;  Acts  1:3,  4, 
9;    9:7;    10:40,    41;    1   Co.   15: 
5-8. 

<e)  Understood  by  those  only  to 
whom  addressed;  see  Jno. 
12:28,  29;  Ac.  9:4.  7. 


(f)  The   trumpet    sounded    twice 
when     the     Lord     descended 
upon    Sinai,    see    Ex.    19:11, 
17.     And    so    when    He    de- 
scends   to    take    the    church 
unto     Himself,     at    its    first 
sounding        the       dead       In 
Christ    will    be    raised,    and 
at  its  last  sounding,  the  liv- 
ing  saints   will   be   changed. 

(g)  The    Old    Testament    saints 
also    will    doubtless    at    this 
time    receive    their    glorified 
bodies,    see    Heb.    11:39,    40. 


THE   RAPTURE. 


185 


Living  Believ- 
ers Changed. 


Both  Caught 
up  into  the 
Clouds,  (d) 


To  be  Ever 
with  the  Lord. 


"We  which  are  alive,  and  remain  unto 
the  coming  of  the  Lord,  shall  not  prevent 
(a)  them  which  are  asleep."  1  Th.  4:15. 

"We  shall  not  all  sleep,  but  we  shall  all 
be  changed,  in  a  moment,  in  the  twinkling 
of  an  eye.  .  .  .  and  we  shall  be  changed." 
(6)  1  Cor.  15:51.  52. 

"The  Lord  Jesus  Christ  .  .  .  shall 
change  our  vile  body,  (c)  that  it  may  be 
fashioned  like  unto  His  glorious  body." 

Ph.  3:20,  21. 

"And  as  we  have  borne  the  image  of  the 
earthy,  we  shall  also  bear  the  image  of 
the  heavenly."  1  Cor.  15:49. 

"For  this  corruptible  must  put  on  incor- 
ruption,  and  this  mortal  must  put  on  im- 
mortality." 1  Cor.  15:53. 

"Then  we  which  are  alive  and  remain, 
shall  be  .caught  up  together,  with  them 
in  the  clouds,  to  meet  the  Lord  in  the 
air."  1  Th.  4:17. 

"The  coming  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ, 
and  .  .  .  our  gathering  together  unto 
Him."  2  Th.  2:1. 

"So  shall  we  ever  be  with  the  Lord." 

1  Th.  4:17. 

"That  where  I  am,  there  ye  may  be 
also."  Jno.  14:3. 

"Where  I  am,  there  shall  also  my  serv- 
ant be."  Jno.  12:26. 

"With  me  where  I  am;  that  they  may 
behold  my  glory."  Jno.  17:24. 

"They  shall  never  perish."        Jno.  10:28. 

"Because  I  live,  ye  shall  live  also." 

Jno.  14:19. 

"That  we  should  live  together  with 
Him."  1  Th.  5:10. 

"An   .  .  .   eternal  weight  of  glory." 

2  Cor.  4:17. 

"Eternal  inheritance." 

He.  9:15;  1  Pet  1:4. 

"He  (e)  shall  go  no  more  out." 

Rev.  3:12. 


(a)  That    is,    'Anticipate*    or    'go 
before.' 

(b)  "Then  ....  Death  is  swal- 
lowed  up   in  victory,"   1   Co. 
16:54;   and   "Mortality  swal- 
lowed up  of  life."   2   Co.   5:4. 

<C)  The    body   of   our    "humble" 


or    "low    estate,"    Lu.    1:48; 
Ac.    8:33;    Ph.    2:8. 

(d)  "The      redemption      of      the 
purchased     possession."     Ro. 
8:23;   Ep.   1:14. 

(e)  The   overcomer,   Re.    3:12;    1 
Jno.    5:4,    5. 


186 


JE8U8  IS  COMING. 


The 
JUDGMENT 

SEAT 
of  Christ,  (b) 


Manifestation 
of  Works. 


Whether  Good 


0*  Bad. 


Reward. 


"We  (c)  must  all  appear  before  the 
judgment  seat  of  Christ;  that  every  one 
may  receive  the  things  done,  in  his  body, 
according,  to  that  he  hath  done,  whether  it 
be  good  or  bad."  2  Cor.  5:10. 

"We  (c)  shall  all  stand  before  the  judg- 
ment seat  of  Christ;  .  .  .  every  one  of  us 
shall  give  account  of  himself  to  God." 

1  Rom.  14:10-12. 

"Behold,  I  come  quickly;  and  my  re- 
ward is  with  me,  to  give  every  man  ac- 
cording as  his  work  shall  be."  Rev.  22:12. 

"Every  man's  work  shall  be  made  mani- 
fest: .  .  .  and  the  fire  shall  try  every 
man's  work  of  what  sort  it  is."  1  Co.  3:13. 

"Therefore  judge  nothing  before  the 
time,  until  the  Lord  come,  who  both  will 
bring  to  the  light  the  hidden  things  of 
darkness,  and  will  make  manifest  the 
counsels  of  the  hearts."  1  Co.  4:5. 

"If  any  man's  work  abide  which  he  hath 
built  thereupon,  (d)  he  shall  receive  a  re- 
ward." 1  Co.  3:14. 

"Whatsoever  good   thing1    (e)    any   man 

doeth,   the  same  shall   he  receive  of  the 

Lord."  Ep.  6:8. 

•  "But  he  that  doeth  wrong  shall  receive 

for  the  wrong  which  he  hath  done." 

Col.  3:25. 

"If  any  man's  work  shall  be  burned,  he 
shall  suffer  loss:  but  he  himself  shall  be 
saved;  (J)  yet  so  as  by  fire.  .  .  .  For  the 
temple  of  God  is  holy  which  temple  ye 
are."  1  Cor.  3:15-17. 

"Every  man  shall  receive  his  own  re- 
ward according  to  his  own  labor." 

1  Cor.  3:8. 

"The  prize  of  the  high  calling." 

Ph.  3:14. 

"The  reward  of  the  inheritance." 

Col.  3:24. 

"The    kingdom."  Jas.    2:5. 

"The  crown  of  life." 

Jas.    1:12;    Rev.    2:10. 


(b)  For   Christians   only,    in   ref- 
erence   to    service.     Ro.    14: 
4,    10,   12. 

(c)  "The     church,     the     saints." 
2   Co.   1:1. 

(4)  The    foundation,    "which    Is 


Jesus     Christ."      Isa.     28:16; 
1   Co.   3:11. 

(e)  "Service    as    to    the    Lord." 
Ep.    6:7. 

(f)  "No   condemnation."   Jno.    6: 
24;   Ro.    8:1. 


THE  MARRIAGE   OF   THE   LAMB. 


187 


"A  crown  of  Righteousness."  2  Tim.  4:8. 
"A  crown  of  glory."  1  Pet.  5:4. 

"An  incorruptible"  (crown).    1  Cor.  9:25. 
"The  things  which  God  hath  prepared." 

1  Cor.  2:9. 

"And  then  shall  every  man  have  praise 
of  God.  1  Cor.  4:5. 

"The   marriage    of  the  Lamb   is    come, 
and  his  wife  (a)  hath  made  herself  ready. 
MARRIAGE  And  to  her  was  granted  that  she  should 

Of  the  Lamb  t>e  arrayed  in  fine  linen,  clean  and  white; 

and  for  the  fine  linen  is  the  righteousness  of 

the  Church.  saints."  Rev.  19:7,  8. 

"Christ  also  loved  the  Church,  and  gave 
Himself  for  it,  ...  that  He  might 
present  it  to  Himself  a  glorious  Church, 
not  having  spot,  or  wrinkle,  or  any  such 
thing;  but  that  it  should  be  holy  and 
without  blemish."  Eph.  5:25-27. 

[The  Tribulation,  or  Time  between  the  Rapture  and  the  Revela- 
tion in  which  there  will  be  a  period  of  seven  years,  (1)  at  the  com- 
menceinent  of  which  those  Jews  who  shall  have  returned  to  their 
land  in  unbelief,  (2)  and  have  rebuilt  or  be  rebuilding  their  temple, 
(3)  enter  into  a  seven-years'  covenant  with  the  Antichrist.  (4)  On 
the  expiration  of  three  and  a  half  years  he  is  revealed  in  his  true 
character  as  the  Man  of  Sin,  (5)  kills  the  two  witnesses  who  had 
been  prophesying  during  that  time,  (6)  stops  the  daily  sacrifice 
which  had  been  resumed,  (7)  and  has  his  own  Image  set  up  in  the 
Holy  Place.  (8)  The  Devil  and  his  angels  are  cast  out  into  the 
earth,  having  great  wrath,  because  their  time  is  short.  (9)  Then 
follow,  during  the  last  three  and  a  half  years  (10)  the  treading 
under  foot  of  the  holy  city  (11)  and  the  time  of  the  "great  tribula- 
tion, such  as  was  not  since  the  beginning  of  the  world,  no,  nor  ever 
shall  be,"  (12)  which,  under  the  Antichrist  (13)  and  his  Prophet, 
(14)  shall  come  upon  all  the  world;  (15)  the  penalty  of  death  being 
suffered  by  as  many  as  refuse  to  worship  the  Image  of  the  Beast, 
(16)  and  unparalleled  persecution  undergone  by  all  who  have  not 
received  his  mark.  (17)  A  third  part  of  the  Jews  in  the  land  are 
brought  through  this  time  of  trouble,  (18)  and  are  gathered  by  the 
Lord  into  Jerusalem,  (19)  to  be  purged  of  their  dross.  (20)  The 


(a)   "Christ     and     the     church." 
Ep.    5:32. 

(1)  Dan.  9:27;  Rev.  11:3,  7  with 
.     13:5. 

(2)  Isa.   6:13;  17:10,  11;   18:4,  5; 
66:3,   4. 

(3)  Isa.    66:1.   2;   Rev.   11:1,   2. 

(4)  Dan.   9:27;  Jno.   5:43. 

(5)  Dan.    9:27;    2    Th.    2:3;    Rev. 
11:7;   13:1. 

(6)  Rev.    11:3-7. 

(7)  Dan.   9:27;   11:31;   12:11. 

(8)  Mat.    24:15;    2   Th.    2:4;    Rev. 
13:14,    15. 

(9)  Rev.    12:7-12. 

(10)  Dan.   7:25;   9:27;   Rev.  13:5. 


(11)  Dan.    9:26;   I,u.   21:24;   Rev. 

11:2. 
.(12)  Jer.    30:7;   Dan.    12:1;    Mat. 

24:21;    Rev.    13:14,    17. 

(13)  Dan.    7:21,    25;    2    Th.    2:2; 
Rev.  13:1.  8. 

(14)  Rev.   13:11,   17;   19:20. 

(15)  Rev.   3:10. 

(16)  Rev.  13:15;  20:4. 

(17)  Rev.   13:16,    17. 

(18)  Zee.   13:8,    9. 

(19)  Eze.    22:19. 

(20)  Isa.    l:21-?5;    4:4;    Eze.    22: 
17-22;    Zep.     1:12,    13;    Z«* 
13:9. 


188 


JESUS  IS  COMING. 


THE  COMING 

Of  the  LORD, 

as  King  to  the 

Earth. 


nations  are  assembled  against  the  city;  which  is  taken  by  them, 
great  suffering  being  inflicted  upon  the  inhabitants,  half  of  whom 
are  carried  Into  captivity.  (21)  The  remnant  no  more  again  stay 
upon  him  that  smote  them,  but  stay  upon  the  Lord,  the  Holy  One 
of  Israel,  in  truth.  (22)  The  kings  of  the  earth  are  gathered  to 
battle  against  Jehovah  and  against  his  Anointed.  (23)  Then  shall 
the  Lord  go  forth,  (24)  with  his  saints,  for  the  destruction  of  his 
enemies  and  the  deliverance  of  his  people.  (25)] 

The  Revelation. 

"THIS  same  Jesus,  which  Is  taken,  up 
from  you  into  heaven,  shall  so  come  in 
like  manner  as  ye  have  seen  Him  go  in- 
to heaven."  Acts  1:11. 

"And  His  feet  shall  stand  in  that  day 
upon  the  mount  of  Olives."  Zech.l4:4. 

"Immediately  after  the  tribulation  of 
those  days  .  .  .  they  shall  see  the  Son 
of  man  coming  in  the  clouds  of  heaven, 
with  power  and  great  glory." 

Mat.  24:29,  30.     (Mk.  13:26;  Lu.  21-27.) 

"Ye  shall  see  the  Son  of  man  sitting  on 
the  right  hand  of  power,  and  coming  in 
the  clouds  of  heaven." 

Mk.  14:62.   (Mat.  26:64.) 

"Behold,  He  cometh  with  clouds;  and 
every  eye  shall  see  Him."  Rev.  1:7. 

"And  they  shall  look  upon  me  whom 
they  have  pierced."  Zech.  12:10. 

"The  Lord  Jesus  shall  be  revealed  from 
heaven  with  His  mighty  angels." 

2  Thes.  1:7.  (Mat.  25:31.) 

"And  I  saw  heaven  opened,  and  behold 
a  white  horse,  and  he  that  sat  upon  him 
was  called  Faithful  and  True." 

Rev.  19:11. 

"Behold,  the  Lord  cometh  out  of  His 
place  to  punish  the  inhabitants  of  the 
earth  for  their  iniquity." 

Isa.  26:21.  (Mi.  1:3.) 

"The  Redeemer  shall  come  to  Zion,  and 
unto  them  that  turn  from  transgressions 
in  Jacob."  Isa.  59:20. 

"Sing  and  rejoice,  O  daughter  of  Zion-. 
for  lo,  I  come,  and  I  will  dwell  in  the 
midst  of  thee,  saith  the  Lord."  Zee.  2:10. 


<21)   Zee.    14:2. 

<22)  Isa.    4:3;    10:20,    21;   17:6-8; 

Jer.    2:27;    Hos.    5:15;    Zee. 

13:9. 
(23)   Ps.    2:1-3;    Rev.    16:14,    16; 

17:14;    19:19. 


(24)  Isa.      13:3-6;      26:21;      Zee. 
14:3. 

(25)  Isa.    50:2;    66:5,    6;    Hos.    5: 
15;  Zee.  12:9,  10;  Mai.   4:1- 
3;    Lu.    21:28. 


THE  REVELATION. 


Together  with 
the  Church 


"And  the  armies  which  were  in  heaven, 
followed  him  upon  white  horses,  clothed 
in  fine  linen,  white  and  clean."  (a) 

Rev.  19:14. 

"They  that  are  with  Him  are  called, 
and  chosen  and  faithful."  (&)  Rev.  17:14. 

"The  LORD  my  God  shall  come,  and  all 
the  saints  with  thee."  Zech.  14:5. 


"Behold    the     Lord     cometh 
thousand  of   His  saints." 


with     tea 
Jude  14. 


"The  coming  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ 
with  all  his  saints."  1  Thes.  3:13. 

"When  Christ,  who  is  our  life,  shall  ap- 
pear, then  shall  ye  (c)  also  appear  with 
Him  in  glory."  Col.  3:4. 

"When  He  shall  appear,  we  shall  be  like 

Him."  1  Jno.   3:2. 

"The  manifestation  of  the  sons  of  God." 

Rom.  8:19. 


[The  power  of  the  Antichrist  is  broken  and  destroyed  by  the 
voice  of  the  Lord;  (1)  he  and  the  False  Prophet  are  taken  and  cast 
alive  into  the  lake  of  fire  burning  with  brimstone,  (2)  and  the  ten 
allied  kings  and  their  armies  are  slain  by  the  sword  proceeding  out 
of  the  mouth  of  the  King  of  Kings.  (3)  The  Devil  is  bound  for  a 
thousand  years  in  the  bottomless  pit,  (4)  during  which  time  the 
martyrs  under  the  Antichrist,  who  shall  have  been  raised  as  the 
completion  of  the  first  resurrection,  will  reign  over  the  earth  with 
the  Lord  Jesus  and  their  fellow-saints.  (5)] 


The 
Resurrection 

of 
LIFE,  (a) 


"AND  I  saw  the  souls  of  them  that  were 
beheaded  for  the  witness  of  Jesus,  and 
for  the  word  of  God,  (&)  and  which  had 
not  worshipped  the  beast,  neither  his 
image,  neither  had  received  His  mark 
upon  their  foreheads,  or  in  their  hands; 
and  they  lived  and  reigned  with  Christ 
a  thousand  years."  Rev.  20:4. 

"Shall  come  forth;  they  that  have  done 
good,  unto  the  resurrection  of  life." 

Jno.    5:29. 


(a)  "The  fine  linen  is  the  right- 
eousness of  saints,"  Rev.  19: 
8. 

(b)  "Called,"    Those    "whom    he 
did    foreknow,"    Rom.    8:29- 
30;     Mat.     7:23;     Rev.     1:6. 
"Chosen,"    Ep.    1:4.    "Faith- 
*ni,"   Sp.   1:1. 

;o)   "The   saints,"   Col.    1:2. 
(1)  I«a.    11:4;    Dan.    7:11;   2    Th. 
2:8. 


(2)  Isa.     30:31,     33;     Rev.     17  :*• 
19:20. 

(3)  Ps.    2:4,   S;   no:6;    Zee.    12: 
9;    R«»v.    17:14;    19:21. 

<»'.)  Rev.    20:2-3. 
(5)  Rev.   20:4-6. 

(a)  For    the    rest    of    the    dead, 
see   Rev.    20:5. 

(b)  Under  Antichrist,    Rev.    «:»: 
13:15. 


190 


JESUS  IS  COMINQ. 


THE  LORD 
REIGNS 

over 
the  Earth. 


With  His 
BRIDE, 

the  Church. 


"Shall    awake,        ...    to    everlasting 
life."  Dan.  12:2. 

"This  is  the  first  resurrection."   (c) 

Rev.  20:5. 


"And  in  the  days  of  these  kings  (<*) 
•hall  the  God  of  heaven  set  up  a  kingdom 
which  shall  never  be  destroyed." 

Dan.  2:44. 

"I  will  raise  unto  David  a  righteous 
Branch,  and  a  king  shall  reign  and  pros- 
per, and  shall  execute  judgment  and 
justice  in  the  earth."  Jer.  23:5. 

"And  the  Lord  God  shall  give  unto  him 
the  throne  of  his  father  David." 

Lu.  1:32.     (Isa.  9:7.) 

"My  king  upon  my  holy  hill  of  Zion." 

Ps.   2:6. 

"The  Lord  of  hosts  shall  reign  in  Mount 
Zion  and  in  Jerusalem,  and  before  his  an- 
cients, gloriously."  Isa.  24:23.  (Mi.  4:7.) 

"The  king  of  Israel,  even  the  LORD  is  in 
the  midst  of  thee."  Zep.  3:15. 

"He  must  reign  till  He  hath  put  all 
enemies  under  his  feet."  (?) 

1  Cor.   15:25. 

"Yea,  all  kings  shall  fall  down  before 
Him;  all  nations  shall  serve  Him." 

Ps.   72:11. 

"The  kingdoms  of  this  world  are  be- 
come the  kingdoms  of  our  Lord  and  of 
His  Christ."  Rev.  11:15. 

"He  shall  have  dominion  also  from  sea 
to  sea  and  from  the  river  unto  the  ends 
of  the  earth."  Ps.  72:8.  (Zee.  9:10.) 

"And  the  Lord  shall  be  king  over  all 
the  earth;  in  that  day  there  shall  be  one 
LORD,  and  His  name  one."  Zee.  14:9. 

"King  of  kings,  and  Lord  of  lords." 

Rev.   19:16. 

"We  shall  also  reign  with  Him." 

2  Tim.   2:12. 

"Heirs  of  God,  and  joint-heirs  with 
Christ;  .  .  .  glorified  together." 

Rom.   8:17. 


(c)  Including,  "Christ  the  first 
fruits;  afterward  they  that 
are  Christ's  at  his  coming," 
the  Ingathering,  1  Cor.  15: 
23;  and  here  the  martyrs 
under  Antichrist  (the 
Gleanings),  Rev.  20:4. 


(d)  Antichrist     and     the     allied 
kings,    Dan.    7:24;    Rev.    17: 
12-13. 

(e)  "Unto  me  every  knee  shal! 
bow."    Isa.    45:23;    Ph.    2:9. 
11. 


THE  MILLENNIAL  EEIGN. 


191 


"To  him  that  overcometh  will  I  grant 
to  sit  with  me  in  my  throne." 

Rev.  3:21. 

"Thou  .  .  .  hast  made  us  unto  our 
God  kings  and  priests;  and  we  shall 
reign  on  (o)  the  earth."  Rev.  5:9,  10. 

"Kings  and  priests  unto  God  and  His 
Father."  Rev.  1:6. 

"The  Father  .  .  .  who  hath  trans- 
lated us  into  the  kingdom  of  His  dear 
Son."  Col.  1:12,  13. 

"And  I  saw  thrones,  and  they  (6)  sat 
upon  them,  and  judgment  was  given  un- 
to them."  Rev.  20:4. 

"The   saints  shall  Judge  the  world." 

1  Cor.  6:2. 


[The  Kingdom  having  been  set  up,  and  all  that  offend  gathered 
out  of  the  land,  (1)  the  Lord  Jesus  judges  first  his  own  people,  the 
Jews,  as  to  their  fidelity  to  him,  (2)  and  then  the  nations  on  earth 
as  to  their  treatment  of  his  people  in  their  trouble.  (3)  The  ten 
trlbea  of  Israel,  after  purification,  (4)  are  brought  into  the  land  (5) 
and  together  with  the  two  tribes  of  Judah  become  one  nation.  (6) 
The  Lord  makes  the  new  covenant  with  his  people,  Israel  and 
Judah,  (7)  forgiving  their  iniquity,  and  remembering  their  sin  no 
more;  (8)  while  punishments  are  visited  by  him  upon  his  enemies, 
(9)  including  Gog  and  his  armies,  (10)  who  are  overthrown  and 
destroyed.  (11)  The  Jewish  people  come  into  possession  of  the  full 
extent  of  their  land  (12)  according  to  promise,  (13)  including  the 
Great  Desert,  which  "blossoms  as  the  rose."  (14)  The  temple  (15) 
and  the  city  (16)  are  rebuilt  after  the  Divine  plan;  and  the  Levltl- 
cal  sacrifices  and  form  of  worship  are  with  some  modifications  re-es- 
tablished. (17)  Nothing  shall  hurt  or  destroy  in  all  the  holy 
mountain.  (18)  The  Lord  sets  his  hand  again  the  second  time  to 
recover  the  remnant  of  his  people,  both  Israel  and  Judah,  from  the 
four  corners  of  the  earth.  (19)  Jerusalem  is  made  a  praise,  the 


(a)  Or,   Over. 

(b)  The      saints,      "the      armies 
which      were      in      heaven," 
Rev.    19:8,    14. 

(1)  Isa.   13:9;  33:14;   Mat.  13:30. 
41. 

(2)  Mat.    25:14-30;   Lu.   19:12-27. 

(3)  Joel     3:2,    12;  Mat.   25:31-46; 
Acts   17:31. 

(4)  Eze.   20:33-38;  Am.   9:9,   10. 

(5)  Isa.  49:12-23;   Eze.   20:40-42; 
36:24;   Am.   9:14,  15. 

(6)  Isa.     11:13;     Eze.     37:16-24; 
Hos.  1:11. 

(7)  Jer.     31:31-33;     32:40;     50:4, 
5;  Eze.  37:26;  Ro.  11:26,  27; 
He.    8:8-11. 

(8)  Isa.   60:21;    Jer.   31:34;   33:8; 
50:20;  Eze.  36:25-33;  Mlc.  7: 
18,    19;   Heb.    8:12. 

(»)  Isa.      2:17-21;      26:9;      84:2; 


Eze.    28:26;   Mlc.    5:15;   Nah. 
1:8. 

(10)  Eze.    38:1-17. 

(11)  Eze.   38:18   to  39:21. 

(12)  Eze.  47:13  to  48:29. 

(13)  Gen.      15:18;      Deu.      11:24; 
Josh.    1:4. 

(14)  Isa.    32:15;     35:1,     2;     51:3; 
Eze.    36:33-36. 

(15)  Eze.    40:1   to  43:17. 

(16)  Isa.    60:10;    Jer.    31:38.    40; 
Eze.     48:15-17     30-35;    Zee. 
14:10,   11. 

(17)  Eze.    43:18    to    46:24;    Mai. 
3:3,   4. 

(18)  Isa.     11:6-9;     33:24;     35:9; 
55:13;     65:25;     Eze.     34:25; 
Hos.    2:18;   Rev.   22:3. 

(19)  Isa.    11:11,   12;    Jer.   50:4-6; 
Eze.   39:25,   28. 


192 


JESUS  IS  COMING. 


The   Heavenly 

City,  the  Home 

of  the  Bride. 


Ms   Magnitude 
and  Beauty. 


Joy  of  the  whole  earth.  (20)  The  Lord  In  her  midst  (21)  is  her 
glory  and  everlasting  light;  there  shall  be  no  night  there.  (22) 
All  nations  go  to  worship  the  King  and  keep  the  feast  of  taber- 
nacles. (23)  The  earth  is  full  of  the  glory  of  the  Lord.  (24)] 

"And  there  came  unto  me  one  of  the 
seven  angels  .  .  .  saying,  Come  hither, 
I  will  shew  thee  the  bride,  the  Lamb's 
wife.  And  he  ...  shewed  me  that 
great  city,  the  holy  Jerusalem,  descend- 
ing out  of  heaven  from  God." 

Rev.  21:9-10. 

"The  city  of  my  God,  which  is  New 
Jerusalem,  which  cometh  down  out  of 
heaven,  from  my  God."  Rev.  3:12. 

"And  had  a  wall  great  and  high,  and 
had  twelve  gates,  and  at  the  gates  twelve 
angels,  and  names  written  thereon,  which 
are  the  names  of  the  twelve  tribes  of  the 
children  of  Israel."  Rev.  21:12. 

"And  the  wall  of  the  city  had  twelve 
foundations,  and  in  them  the  names  of 
the  twelve  apostles  of  the  Lamb." 

Rev.  21:14. 

"And  the  building  of  the  wall  of  it 
was  of  jasper;  and  the  city  was  pure 
gold,  like  unto  clear  glass."  Rev.  21:18. 

"And  the  foundations  of  the  wall  of  the 
city  were  garnished  with  all  manner  of 
precious  stones."  Rev.  21:19. 

"And  the  twelve  gates  were  twelve 
pearls;  every  several  gate  was  of  one 
pearl, 'and  the  street  of  the  city  was  pure 
gold,  as  it  were  transparent  glass." 

Rev.  21:21. 

"And  I  saw  no  temple  therein,  for  the 
Lord  God  Almighty  and  the  Lamb  are 
the  temple  of  it.  And  the  city  had  no 
need  of  the  sun,  neither  of  the  moon  to 
shine  in  it;  for  the  glory  of  God  did 
lighten  it,  and  the  Lamb  is  the  light 
thereof."  Rev.  21:22,  23. 

"Having  the  glory  of  God;  and  her 
light  was  like  unto  a  stone  most  precious, 
even  like  a  jasper  stone,  clear  as  crystal." 

Rev.   21:11. 


Its  Glory  and 
Purity. 


<*«)   Ps.    48:2;    Isa.    1:26;    60:14; 

62:7;  65:18;  Jer.  31:23;  Zee. 

8 '  3 
(21)  Bze.    48:35;    Joel     3:17,    21; 

Zeph.    3:15-17;    Zee.    2:10. 
C22)  Isa.     60:19,     20;     Zee.     2:6; 


Rev.   22:5. 

(23)  Isa.    2:1-3;    Jer.    3:17;    Mic. 
4:2;      Zee.      8:20-22,      14:16- 
19. 

(24)  Num.  14:21;  Pa.  72:19:  lea. 
21:9;   Hab.   2:14. 


THE   HOLT   CIT7. 


193 


"And  the  nations  of  them  which  are 
saved  shall  walk  in  the  light  of  it;  and 
the  kings  of  the  earth  do  bring  their 
glory  and  honor  into  it.  And  the  gates 
of  it  shall  not  be  shut  at  all  by  day;  for 
there  shall  be  no  night  there.  And  they 
shall  bring  the  glory  and  honor  of  the 
nations  into  it."  Rev.  21:24-26. 

"And  there  shall  in  no  wise  enter  into 
it  any  thing  that  defileth,  neither  what- 
soever worketh  abomination,  or  maketh 
a  lie;  but  they  which  are  written  in  the 
Lamb's  book  of  Life."  Rev.  21:27. 

[On  the  expiration  of  the  Millennium,  or  thousand  years,  Satan 
being  loosed  from  his  prison  for  a  little  season,  (1)  goes  out  to 
deceive  the  nations  in  the  four  quarters  of  the  earth,  Gog  and 
Magog,  and  to  gather  them  together  to  battle.  (2)  They  compass 
the  camp  of  the  saints  and  the  beloved  city,  (3)  but  fire  from  God 
out  of  heaven  devours  them,  (4)  and  the  Devil  who  deceived  them 
is  cast  Into  the  lake  of  fire  and  brimstone,  where  the  Beast  and  ths 
False  Prophet  are,  and  shall  be  tormented  day  and  night  forever 
and  ever.  (5)] 


The  JUDGE  of 
all  the  Earth. 


The 
Resurrection 

of 
Damnation. 


The  Last 
Judgment. 


"And  I  saw  a  great  white  throne,  and 
Him  that  sat  on  it."  Rev.  20 :11. 

"The  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  who  shall 
judge  the  quick  and  the  dead." 

2  Tim.  4:1. 

"He  which  was  ordained  of  God  to  be 
the  Judge  of  quick  and  dead. 

Ac.  10:42.  (1  Pe.  4:5.) 

"The  Father  .  .  .  hath  committed 
all  judgment  unto  the  Son."  Jno.  5:22. 

"And  I  saw  the  dead  (a)  small  and 
great  stand  before  God"  (6)  Rev.  20:12. 

"And  the  sea  gave  up  the  dead  whick 
were  in  it  and  death  and  hades  (c)  de- 
livered up  the  dead  which  were  in  them." 

Rev.  20:13. 

"Shall  come  forth  .  .  .  they  that 
have  done  evil,  unto  the  resurrection  of 
damnation."  Jno.  5:29. 

"Shall  awake  ...  to  shame  and 
everlasting  contempt."  Dan.  12:2. 

"And  the  books  were  opened;  and  an- 
other book  was  opened,  which  is  the  book 
of  life;  and  the  dead,  were  judged  out  of 


0>  Re.     00:3-7.       (2)     Re.     20:8. 

(3)  Jerusalem,    see    Isa.    4:3. 

(4)  Re.   20:9.      (5)   Re.   20:10. 
(a)  Those   who   had  no  part    In 


the     first     resurrection, 
Rev.    20:5,   6. 

(b)  "The    Son,"    see    Jno. 
Rom.    2:16. 

(c)  So  the  Greek. 


se« 


194 


JESUS  IS  COMING. 


The  Last 

Enemy. 


Heaven  and 

Earth  pass 

away. 


New  Heavens 

and 
New  Earth. 


those  things  which  were  written  in  the 
books,    according  to  their  works." 

Rev.  20:12. 

"And  whosoever  was  not  found  written 
in  the  book  of  life  was  cast  into  the  lake 
of  fire."  Rev.  20:15. 

"The  lake  which  burneth  with  fire  and 
brimstone;  which  is  the  second  death." 

Rev.  21:8. 

"The  last  enemy  that  shall  be  destroyed 
is  death."  1  Cor.  15:26. 

"And  death  and  hades  (c)  were  cast 
into  the  lake  of  fire.  This  is  the  second 
death."  Rev.  20:14. 


"Heaven  and  earth  shall  pass  away." 

Mark  13:31. 

"The  heavens  shall  pass  away  with  a 
great  noise,  and  the  elements  shall  melt 
with  fervent  heat;  the  earth  also,  and 
the  works  that  are  therein,  shall  be 
burned  up.  (a)  .  .  The  heavens,  being 
on  fire,  shall  be  dissolved,  and  the  elar 
ments  shall  melt  with  fervent  heat." 

2  Pe.  3:10-12. 

"The  heavens  shall  vanish  away  like 
smoke,  and  the  earth  shall  wax  old  like 
a  garment."  Isa.  51:6. 

"They  shall  perish  .  .  .  they  all  shall 
wax  old  as  doth  a  garment;  and  as  a 
vesture  shalt  thou  fold  them  up,  and  they 
shall  be  changed."  Heb.  1:11-12. 

"From  whose  face  the  earth  and  the 
heaven  fled  away;  (&)  and  there  was 
found  no  place  for  them."  Rev.  20:11. 

"And  he  that  sat  upon  the  throne  said, 
Behold,  I  make  all  things  new." 

Rev.  21:5. 

"Behold,  I  create  new  heavens  and  a 
new  earth."  Isa.  65:17. 

"And  I  saw  a  new  heaven  and  a  new 
earth;  for  the  first  heaven  and  the  first 
earth  were  passed  away;  and  there  was 
no  more  sea."  Rev.  21:1. 

"New  heavens  and  a  new  earth,  where- 
in dwelleth  all  righteousness." 

2  Pe.  3:13. 


(c)  So   the  Greek. 
(a)   Compare    Gen.     6:11,     13;     9, 
11,      16      with      Isa.      24:5; 


2  Pet.  3:7. 

(b)  See  also  Ps.   68:8;   Nah.  1:5; 
and  Job  15:13;  25:5. 


GOD   ALL  IN  ALL. 


195 


GOD 
ALL   IN  ALL. 


o  Lamb's 
Wife. 


GOD 

Dwells  with 
Men. 


"Then  cometh  the  end,  when  he  shall 
have  delivered  up  the  kingdom  to  God, 
even  the  Father;  when  he  shall  have 
put  down  all  rule  and  all  authority  and 
power."  1  Cor.  15:24. 

"And  when  all  things  shall  be  subdued 
unto  Him,  then  shall  the  Son  also  Him- 
self be  subject  unto  Him,  that  put  all 
things  under  Him,  that  God  may  be  all  in 
all."  1  Cor.  15:28. 

"And  I  John  saw  the  holy  city,  New 
Jerusalem,  coming  down  from  God  out  of 
heaven,  prepared  as  a  bride  adorned  for 
her  husband."  (ft)  Rev.  21:2. 


"Behold,  the  tabernacle  of  God  is  with 
men,  and  He  will  dwell  with  them,  and 
they  shall  be  His  people,  and  God  Him- 
self shall  be  with  them  and  be  their  God. 
And  God  shall  wipe  away  all  tears  from 
their  eyes;  and  there  shall  be  no  more 
death,  neither  sorrow  nor  crying,  neither 
shall  there  be  any  more  pain;  for  the 
former  things  are  passed  away." 

Rev.  21:3-4. 


"That  In  the  ages  to  come 
he  might  show  the  exceed- 
ing riches  of  his  grace  in 


his  kindness  toward  us 
through  Christ  Jesus.  Eph. 
2:7. 


"Eye  hath  not  seen,  nor  ear  heard,  neither  have  entered 
into  the  heart  of  man  the  things  which  God  hath  prepared 
for  them  that  love  him.  But  God  hath  revealed  them  unto 
us  by  his  Spirit;  for  the  Spirit  searcheth  all  things,  yea,  the 
deep  things  of  God."  1  Cor.  2:  9,  10. 

"Now  he  that  hath  wrought  us  for  this  selfsame  thing  is 
God,  who  also  hath  given  unto  us  the  earnest  of  the  Spirit." 
2  Cor.  5:  5. 

"Unto  him  be  glory  in  the  church  by  Christ  Jesus  through- 
out all  ages,  world  without  end.  Amen."  Eph.  3:  21. 

"Wherefore,  beloved,  seeing  that  ye  look  for  such  things, 
be  diligent  that  ye  may  be  found  of  him  in  peace,  without 
spot,  and  blameless."  2  Pet.  3:14. 


196 


JESUS  18  COMING. 


REFERENCES. 

For  convenience  we  give  the  following  references  to  some 
of  the  principal  passages  which  refer  to  our  Lord's  return, 
in  the  consecutive  order  in  which  they  occur  in  the  Word, 
together  with  catch  words  to  distinguish  the  same: 

Deut.  33:2.  — Mt.    Sinai,    Mt.    Seir,    Transfiguration 

and  Second  Coming. 
Psa.  2.  —The  Son's  possession,  etc. 

"  67:4.  —Judge  and  govern  the  nations. 

"  96:10-13.  —The  Lord  cometh  to  judge. 

"  98:9.  —The  Lord  cometh  to  judge. 

"  102 :16.  —Build  up  Zion  and  appear  in  glory. 

Dan.  7:13.  —Son  of  man    cometh    to    possess  the 

kingdom. 

Hos.  6 :3.  —He  comes  as  the  latter  and  former  rain. 

Zech.  12:10.  —Israel  SEE  and  accept  Christ. 

"    14:4.  — He  stands  upon  the  Mount  of  Olives. 

"    14:5.  —Comes  with  the  saints. 

Mat.  16:26-27.       —Shall  come  in  glory  of  His  Father. 

"      19:28.  —Sit  in  throne  of  His  glory. 

"      24.  —The  three  questions  answered. 

"      25:1-12.        —The  Bridegroom. 

"      25:13-30.      —Judgment  of  Servants. 

"      25:31-46.       —Judgment  of  Nations. 

"      26:64.  —Coming  in  the  clouds  of  heaven. 

Mark  8:38.  —Of  Him,    Son,  be  ashamed  when   He 

cometh. 

"      13.  —The  three  questions  answered. 

"      14:62.  —Coming  in  the  clouds  of  heaven. 

Luke    9:26.  — Of  Him,  Son,  be    ashamed    when  He 

cometh. 

u      12:35-48.      —Loins  girded— lights  burning. 

"      17:20-37.      -Noah,  Lot,  etc. 

"      18:8.  —Little  faith  on  earth. 

"      19:11-28.       —Gone  to  receive  kingdom  and  return. 
The  ten  talents. 

"      21.  —The  three  questions  answered. 


REFERENCES.  197 

Jno.  1:51.  —Heaven  open,  angels  descending. 

"      14:3.  — The  promise.    Come  and  receive  you. 

"      14:18.  —I  will  come  to  you. 

"      14:28.  —Go  away  and  come  again. 

"      21 :22.  —If  he  tarry  till  I  come. 

Acts  1:10-11.  —The  same  Jesus  come  again. 

"    3:19-21.  —The  times  of  refreshing. 

1  Cor.  1:4-8.  — Waiting  for  the  coming. 

"      4:5.  —Judge  nothing  until  Lord  come. 

"    11:26.  —Communion,  till  He  come. 

"    15:23.  —Order  of  Res.— Christ's  at  His  coming. 

"    16 :22.  — Anathema  Maran-atha. 

2  Cor.  1:14.  —Rejoicing  in  the  day  of  Lord. 
Phil.  1:6-10.  —Till  the  day  of  Christ. 

"    2:16.  —Rejoicing  in  the  day  of  Christ. 

"    3:11.  — Resurrection  from  among  the  dead. 

"    3:20-21.  —Citizenship— Looking  for  the  Savior. 

"    4:5.  —The  Lord  is  at  hand. 

Col.  3:3-5.  —Appearing  with  Him. 

1  Thes.  1:9.  —Wait  for  His  Son  from  heaven. 

"    2:19.  — Hope,  joy,  crown  at  His  coming. 

"    3:13.  —Unblamable,  at  the  coming. 

"    4:13-18.  —The  Rapture. 

"    5:1-10.  —Times  and  seasons— night  and  day. 

"    5 :23.  — Blameless  unto  the  coming. 

2  Thes.  1:7-10.  —Revealed  in  flaming  fire. 

"    2:1-8.  —That  wicked  destroyed  with  the  bright- 
ness of  His  coming. 

1  Tim.  6:13-15.  —Keep  the  commandment  until  the  ap- 

pearing. 

2  "    4:1.  —Judge,   at  appearing   and   kingdom. 

"    4:8.  —Crown  for  all  that  love  His  appearing. 

Tit.  2:11-15.  —The  blessed  hope  and  glorious  appear- 
ing. 

Heb.  9:24-28.  -The  three  appearings. 

"    10:22-24.  -Faith,  hope,  love. 

"    10:25.  — Day  approaching. 

"    10:35-37.  —Patience,  a  little  while. 

James  5:7-8.  —Be  patient  unto  the  coming— early  aod 
latter  rain. 


198  JESUS  IS  COMING. 

1  Pet.  1:7  —Trial  of  faith. 

"    1:18  —Hope  to  the  end. 

u    4:18.  —When  His  glory  shall  be  revealed. 

u    5  :l-4.  — When  the  Chief  Shepherd  shall  appear. 

2  Pet.  3.  —Scoffers— The  day  of  the,  Lord. 

1  John  2:28.        —When  He  shall  appear  we  may  have 

confidence. 

"    3:2-3.  —Now  sons— shall  be    like    Him— hath 

this  hope — purifieth  himself. 

2  John  7.  —Coming  in  the  flesh. 

Jude  14:15.  —The  Lord  cometh  with  saints  to  exe- 

cute judgment. 

Rev.  1:7.  —Behold  He  cometh  with  clouds. 

"    2:25.  —Hold  fast  till  I  come. 

"    3:3.  —If  not  watch,  come  on  thee  as  a  thief. 

"    3:10-11.          —Keep  thee  from  the  hour  of  tempta- 
tion—Behold I  come  quickly. 
u  14:14-16.          -The  earth  reaped. 
"  16:15.  —Behold,  I  come  as  a  thief— Blessed  is 

he  that  WATCHETH. 
u  22:20.  —Even  so  come  Lord  Jesus. 


^,, 

CHAPTER  XEL 
Anathema  or  Comfort. 

There  are  several  passages  which  convey  a  very  solemn 
import  'in  connection  with  this  subject,  especially  two, 
which  we  mention,  as  follows:  One  occurs  in  the  saluta- 
tion of  Paul,  1  Cor.  16:22.  Before  he  pronounces  the 
BLESSING,  he  excludes  those  who  do  not  love  Jesus,  in  the 
following  words:  "If  iany  man  love  not  the  Lord  Jesus 
Christ,  let  him  be 

Anathema  Mar  an- Atha ! ' ' 

Anathema  means  accursed,  condemned,  devoted  to  de- 
struction. 

Maran-atha  means,  the  Lord  cometh. 

Let  him  be  accursed— the  Lord  cometh. 

It  is  easy  now,  while  the  long  suffering  of  God  waits1 
for  men  to  reject,  despise  and  hate  the  Lord  Jesus.  But 
JESUS  is  COMING,  and  woe  be  unto  them  who  now  reject 
Him,  "when  once  the  Master  of  the  house  is  risen  up  and 
hath  shut  to  the  door."2  Paul  understood  this,  and  there- 
fore he  says,  "I  am  made  all  things  to  all  men,  that  I 
might  by  all  means  save  some"  (1  Cor.  9:22),  "from  the 

(1)  1    Pet.    3:19.      By   which      the  master  of  the  house  Is  risen 
also  he  went  and  preached  unto      up,    and   hath   shut  to  the  door, 
the  spirits  in  prison ;  and   ye   begin   to    stand   without, 

20.  Which  sometime  were  dis-  and  to  knock  at  the  door,  say- 
obedient,  when  once  the  long-  ing,  Lord,  Lord,  open  unto  us ; 
suffering  of  God  waited  in  the  and  he  shall  answer  and  say  un- 
days  of  Noah,  while  the  ark  was  to  you,  I  know  you  not  whence 
a  preparing,  wherein  few,  that  ye  are. 

is,    eight    souls    were    saved    by          Mark  13 .35     watch  ye  there- 
water.  fore  :   for  ye  know  not  when  the 

2  Pet.   3:9.     The  Lord  Is  not  master  of  the  house  cometh,   at 

slack  concerning  his  promise,  as1  even>  or  at  mi(jnigilt)  or  at  tne 

some  men  count  slackness ;   but  cockcrowing    or  in  the  morning : 

^igSthff:trinagnyVouTd%tis0h!  fl  f  ^coming    suddenly    ne 

but  that  all  should  come  to   re-  find   y°u   sleeping, 
pentance.  37.  And  what  I  say  unto  you 

(2)  Luke  13:25.     When  once  I  say  unto  all,  Watch. 

(JJUU 


200  JESUS  IX  COMING. 

wrath  to  come."  1  Thes.  1:10.  0!  that  men  would  "seek 
the  Lord  while  He  may  be  found,"3  and  "flee  from  the 
wrath  to  come."4 

The  other  passage  is  in  2  John  7:  "For  many  deceivers 
have  entered  into  the  world,  who  confess  not  that  Jesus 
Christ  is  come  (coming)  in  the  flesh.  This  is  a  deceiver 
and  an  Antichrist."  The  correct  rendering  of  ep^o/ievov 
(erkomenon)  is  COMING.  Jesus  was  especially  called  the 
"Coming  One."5  But  these  deceivers  denied  the  incarna- 
tion—the coming  of  Christ  in  the  flesh— either  past  or 
future.  See  Alford,  also  Jamieson,  Fausset  and  Brown. 

This,  then,  is  of  special  significance.     He  that  denies 

Jesus  Christ's  Coining  in  the  Flesh 

is  a  deceiver  and  an  Antichrist.  That  is,  he  is  possessed 
of  the  same  spirit,  which  will  ultimately  find  its  personi- 
fication in  the  GREAT  PERSONAL  ANTICHRIST. 

It  is  lamentable  that  this  passage  has  been  so  improper- 
ly translated  in  our  version.  It  is  such  a  strong  asser- 
tion that  Jesus  is  coming  in  the  flesh,  that  it  would  doubt- 
less have  prevented  much  of  the  unwarrantable  "spiritual- 
izing" of  Scripture,  which  has  prevailed  so  largely. 

(3)  Isa.    55 :6.      Seek   ye   the      of  the  earth  shall  wail  because 
Lord    while    he    may    be    found,      of  him.     Even   so,  Amen. 

call    ye   upon    him   while   he   is          8.  I  am  Alpha  and  Omega,  the 

near.  beginning  and   the   ending,   saith 

A1_.  o  «„_    R  .9  the    Lord,    which    is,    and    which 

was,  and  which   is  to  come,  the 

(4)  Mat.    3:7.      But  when   he      Almighty. 

saw  many  of  the  Pharisees   and  Rev    4 .g       ^   the  four  Uy_ 

Sadducees  come   to   his   baptism,  j        creatures,    having   each    one 

he  said  unto  them    O  generation  of   them    &1x   wi  are    full    flf 

of  vipers,   who  hath  warned  you  roimd    ab(mt    and    within 

to  flee  from  the  wrath  to  come?  and  they  haye  no  rest  day  anfl 

(5)  Mat.  11 :3.     And  said  un-  night,   saying, 

to  him,   Art   thou   he   that  com-  Holyf     ho,        ho,        fc     ^ 

eth,  or  look  we  for  another?  ^^     God>     the     Almightyt 

Heb.   10 :37.     For  yet  a  very          who   was    and    who   is    and 
little  while,  he  that  cometh  shall          who  is  to  come, 
come,  and  shall  not  tarry.  John  6 :14      Then  those  men> 

Rev.  1 :7.     Behold,  he  cometh  when  they  had  seen  the  miracle 

with  clouds ;  ana  every  eye  shall  that  Jesus  did,    said,   This   Is   of 

see    him,    and    they    also    which  a  truth  that  Prophet  that  should 

pierced    him :    and    all    kindreds  come  into  the  world. 


ANATHEMA    OR    COMFORT. 


201 


Jesus  is  coming  HIMSELF  at  the  Rapture,0  to  receive  us 
unto  HiMSELF,7  and  He  is  coming  to  this  earth  again,  at 
the  Revelation,8  tho  SAME  JESUS,  and  in  LIKE  MANNER  as 
He  went  away.*9 

Lo!   He  comes,  with  clouds  descending, 

Once  for  favored  sinners  slain; 
Thousand  thousand  saints  attending, 

Swell  the  triumphs  of  His  train; 
Hallelujah! 

God  appears  on  earth  to  reign. 

But  while  there  is  such  fearful  foreboding  of  impending 
judgment  and  just  retribution  to  those  who  love  not  the 
Lord  Jesus,  there  is,  on  the  other  hand, 

The  Sweetest  Comfort 

for  those  who  do  love  our  Lord's  appearing. 

This  is  apparent  when  we  understand  the  true  position 
of  the  Church.  We  have  seen  that  it  is  not  to  be  con- 
founded with  the  coming  Kingdom,  neither  does  it  include 
the  Old  Testament  Saints,  for  it  was  founded  after  Christ 
came.10  It  was  begun  on  the  day  of  Pentecost  (Acts  2) 

*That  is  corporally,  in  the  flesh. 


(6)  1    Thes.    4:16.      For    the 
Lord  himself  shall  descend  from 
heaven,    with   a    shout,    with    the 
voice  of  the  archangel,   and  with 
the  trump  of  God :  and  the  dead 
in  Christ  shall  rise  first ; 

17.  Then    we    that    are    alive, 
that  are  left,  shall  together  with 
them  be  caught  up  in  the  clouds, 
to    meet   the    Lord    in    the    air : 
and    so    shall    we    ever   be   with 
the  Lord. 

18.  Wherefore      comfort      one 
another  with  these  words. 

(7)  John   14:3.      And  if  I  go 
and   prepare   a  place   for   you,    I 
will  come  again,  and  receive  you 
unto  myself ;    that  where  I   am, 
there  ye  may  be  also. 

(8)  2    Thes.     2:7.       For    the 
mystery  of  iniquity  doth  already 
work:  only  he  who  now  letteth 
will  let,  until  be  be  taken  out 
of  the  way. 


8.  And  then  shall  that  Wicked 
be  revealed,  whom  the  Lord  shall 
consume    with    the    spirit   of   his 
mouth,    and    shall    destroy    with 
the  brightness  of  his  coming : 

9.  Even  him,  whose  coming  Is 
after  the  working  of  Satan  with 
all    power    and    signs    and    lying 
wonders, 

10.  And    with    all    deceivable- 
ness  of  unrighteousness   in  them 
that    perish ;    because    they    re- 
ceived not  the  love  of  the  truth, 
that  they  might  be  saved. 

(9)  Acts    1:11.      Which    also 
said,    Ye    men    of    Galilee,    why 
stand  ye  gazing  up  into  heaven? 
this  same  Jesus,  which  is  taken 
up   from   you    into   heaven,   shall 
so    come    in    like   manner    as    ye 
have  seen  him  go  into  heaven. 

(10)  Mat.   16:18.    And   I   say 
also    unto    thee,    That    thou    art 
Peter,  and  upon  this  rock  I  will 


202 


JESUS  18  COMING, 


And  will  be  complete  at  the  Rapture.  1  Thes.  4:17.  It  is 
like  a  parenthesis  in  God's  dealing  with  His  people,  Israel. 
While  they  are  broken  off  because  of  unbelief,  the  Church 
is  grafted  in.11 

And  being  a  companion  in  suffering  with  her  Lord,12 
following  His  example,13  walking  in  humility  (Phil.  2:2-8; 
1  John  2:6),  during  His  humiliation,14  she  shall  "be 
counted  worthy"15  of  the  greatest  blessing  in  her  exaltation 
with  Him.16 

The  Bride  of  Christ. 

Jesus  is  the  Bridegroom,  and  the  Church  is  His  Brides. 

John  the  Baptist  stood  as  the  last  representative  of  the 
Mosaic  dispensation.  He  said,  "I  am  not  the  Christ.  .  .  . 


build  my  church ;  and  the  gates 
of  bell  shall  not  prevail  against 
It 

(11)  Rom.      11:17.      And      if 
some  of  the  branches  be  broken 
off,  and  thou,  being  a  wild  olive 
tree,    wert     grafted     in     among 
them,   and   with   them  partakest 
of    the    root    and    fatness   of   the 
olive   tree. 

(12)  Acts  5:41.  And  they  de- 
parted from  the  presence  of  the 
council,  rejoicing  that  they  were 
counted  worthy  to   suffer  shame 
for  his  name. 

Phil.  1 :29.  For  unto  you  it 
is  given  in  the  behalf  of  Christ, 
not  only  to  believe  on  him,  but 
also  to  suffer  for  his  sake. 

Also  Heb.   10:34. 

(13)  John  13:15.     For  I  have 
given   you   an   example,   that  ye 
should  do  as  I  have  done  to  you. 

1  Pet.  2  :21.  For  even  here- 
unto were  ye  called :  because 
Christ  also  suffered  for  us,  leav- 
ing us  an  example,  that  ye 
should  follow  his  steps : 

(14)  Acts    8:33.      In   his'   hu- 
miliation his  judgment  was  taken 
away :  and  who  shall  declare  his 
generation?  for  his  life  la  taken 
from  the  earth. 

(15)  2  Thes.    1:5.      Which   is 
a  manifest  token  of  the  righteous 


judgment  of  God,  that  ye  may 
be  counted  worthy  of  the  king- 
dom of  God,  for  which  ye  also 
suffer. 

Rom.  8:17.  And  if  children, 
then  heirs ;  heirs  of  God,  and 
joint  heirs  with  Christ;  if  so  be 
that  we  suffer  with  him,  that  we 
may  be  also  glorified  together. 

(16)  Phil.  2:5.  Let  this 
mind  be  in  you,  which  was  also 
in  Christ  Jesus : 

6.  Who,  being  in  the  form  of 
God,    thought    it   not    robbery   to 
be  equal  with  God: 

7.  But  made  himself  of  no  rep- 
utation,  and  took  upon   him  the 
form  of  a  servant,  and  was  made 
in  the  likeness  of  men : 

8.  And  being  found  in  fashion 
as   a   man,    he  humbled   himself, 
and  became  obedient  unto  death, 
even  the  death  of  the  cross. 

9.  Wherefore    God    also    hath 
highly    exalted    him,    and    given 
him  a  name  which  is  above  every 
name : 

10.  That  at  the  name  of  Jesus 
every  knee  should  bow,  of  things 
in  heaven,   and   things  in   earth, 
and  things  under  the  earth  ; 

11.  And     that     every     tongue 
should  confess  that  Jesus  Christ 
is  Lord,  to  the  glory  of  God  the 
Father. 


THE  BRIDE   OF  CHRIST.  203 

He  that  hath  the  Bride  is  the  Bridegroom,  but  the  friend 
of  the  Bridegroom  which  standeth  and  heareth  Him,  re- 
joiceth  greatly  because  of  the  Bridegroom's  voice;  this, 
my  joy,  therefore,  is  fulfilled."  John  3:28-29.  Here  we 
have  a  clear  distinction  between  the  Old  Testament  Saints 
and  the  Bride  of  Christ. 

They  shall  be  perfected,  but  God  has  "provided  some 
better  thing  for  us,  that  they  without  us  should  not  be  made 
perfect."  Heb.  11:40.  Not  that  the  Church  is  more  wor- 
thy, but  because,  that  in  the  overflowing  grace  of  God17 
He  has  chosen  the  Church  to  be  the  heavenly  Bride  of 
Christ.* 

The  Church  is  the  body  of  Christ,18  and  her  precious 
union  with  Him  is  most  clearly  set  forth  in  the  epistle  to 
the  Ephesians.  She  is  there  regarded  as  spiritually  quick- 
ened19 and  seated  in  the  heavenlies20  with  her  risen  Lord,21 
having  been  "chosen  in  Him  before  the  foundation  of  the 
world"  to  '^be  holy  and  without  blame  before  Him  in 
love."22  She  is  to  be  "to  the  praise  of  the  glory  of  His 
grace  ....  accepted  in  the  Beloved,"22  being  "sealed 
with  that  Holy  Spirit  of  promise,  which  is  the  earnest  of 

•Israel  was  an  earthly  bride,  comforted  with  temporal 
blessings,  and  to  these  she  shall  be  restored.  Though  now 
through  unbelief  she  is  desolate,  her  children  shall  yet  be 
as  the  sand  of  the  sea.  Isa.  54;  Jer.  3:1-18;  31:32;  Ezk.  16; 
Hos.  1:10,  11;  2;  3.  See  page  162. 

(17)  Eph.   2:7.     That  in   the      gether    in     heavenly    places    in 
ages  to  come  he  might  shew  the      Christ   Jesus. 

exceeding  riches  of  his  grace,  in  (21)   Eph.    1:20.      Which      he 

his  kindness  toward  us,  through  wrought  in  Christ,  when  he 
Christ  Jesus.  raised  him  from  the  dead,  and 

(18)  1    Cor.    12:27.      Now   ye       ^  t JfheavenW 
are  the  body  of  Christ,  and  mem-  «»  ^^ 

bers  in  particular.  he   hatQ   cnosen    ug    ,n    him  be_ 

(19)  Eph.  2:1.     And  you  Jiath      fore  the  foundation  of  the  world, 
he  quickened,  who  were  dead   in      that  we  should  be  holy  and  with- 
trespasses  and  sins.  out  blame  before  him   in   love : 

i    o        T.I        j     *.  6.  Having   predestined   us   un- 

(20)  Eph     1:3.      Blessed    6e  to    the    adoption   of   children    by 
the  God  and  Father  of  our  Lord  Cnri      t     hlmseif,   accord- 
Jesus    Christ,    who    hath    blessed  ,        t       fa  d  •  w 
us  with  all  spiritual  blesstags  in  wijj 

heavenly  places  in  Christ.  fi;  TQ  the  pra,se  of  the  glory 

Eph.  2 :6.  And  hath  raised  MS  of  his  grace,  wherein  he  hath 
up  together,  and  made  us  sit  to-  made  us  accepted  in  the  beloved. 


204  JESUS  IS  COMING. 

her  inheritance  until  the  redemption  of  the  purchased  pos- 
session."23 

Oh!  that  we  might  receive  "the  spirit  of  wisdom  and 
revelation  in  the  knowledge  of  Him"  to  "know  what  is  the 
hope  of  His  calling  and  what  the  riches  of  the  glory  of  His 
inheritance  in  the  saints."  1:17-18.  We  should  not  walk 
"as  other  Gentiles  walk,"  "but  speaking  the  truth  in  love," 
grow  up  into  Christ  our  living  head,  working  together  for 
the  "increase  of  the  body"  and  edification  "in  love"  (4:15- 
17)  "till  we  all  come  into  the  unity  of  the  faith  and  of  the 
knowledge  of  the  Son  of  God,  unto  A  PERFECT  MAN,  unto 
the  measure  of  the  stature  of  the  fulness  of  Christ."  4 :13. 
That  is,  Christ  as  the  head,  and  the  Church  as  the  body,  will 
make  one  perfect  man.  "They  twain  shall  be  one  flesh,24 
"the  NEW  MAN  which  is  created  in  righteousness  and  true 
holiness"  (4:24).  The  true  seed  of  the  woman,  which 
shall  bruise  the  serpent's  head.26 

Wherefore,  the  Church  is  exhorted  to  "grieve  not  the 
Holy  Spirit  of  God  whereby"  she  is  "sealed  unto  the  day 
of  redemption"  (Eph.  4:30),  but  to  be  "kind  one  to  an- 
other, tender-hearted"  (4:32),  "walking  in  love"  (5:2)  "as 
children  of  light"  (5:8),  "circumspectly"  and  "wise,  re- 
deeming the  time"  (5:15-16),  "filled  with  the  Spirit 
(5:18),  nourished  and  cherished  (5:29)  until  sanctified  and 

(23)  Eph.  1 :13.     In  whom  ye  6.  Wherefore     they     are     no 
also  trusted,  after  that  ye  heard  more  twain,  but  one  flesh.  What 
the  word  of  truth,  the  gospel  of  therefore    God    hath    joined    to- 
your    salvation :    In    whom    also,  gether,  let  not  man  put  asunder, 
after   that   ye   believed,   ye   were  Eph     5 :31       For    thlg    cause 
sealed  with  t&at  Holy  Spirit  of  shall  a  man  leave  hls  fatner  and 

promise,  mother,  and  shall  be  joined  unto 

14.  Which    Is    the    earnest    of  hig  wife>   and  they  two  ghall   be 

our  inheritance  until  the  redemp-  one  nesjj 

tion  of  the  purchased  possession,  '                        .at      «n 

unto  the  praise  of  his  glory.  <25>   <*en     f  :15.      And   I   will 

(24)  Mat      19:4         And      he  put  enmity  between  thee  and  the 
answered    and    said    unto    them,  vro^n-    and    *etw,ee*    *h?    Sf*d 
Have  ye  not  read,  that  he  which  £nd,ner  *eed;  "  lha"  *ru?se  "7 
made     them     at     the     beginning  head-   and  thou  shalt  bruise   his 
made   them   male   and   female, 

5.  And    said,    For    this    cause  Rom.   16 :20.     And  the  God  of 

shall    a    man    leave    father    and  peace  shall    bruise    Satan    under 

mother,   and   shall   cleave   to   his  your  feet  shortly.     The  grace  of 

wife :    and    they    twain    shall    be  our  Lord  Jesus    Christ    be   with 

cne  flesh?  you.    Amen. 


THE  BRIDE   OF  CHRIST.  205 

cleansed,  she  is  presented  unto  the  Lord  "Himself  a 
glorious  Church,  not  having  spot,  or  wrinkle,  or  any  such 
thing,"  but  "holy  land  without  blemish,"  the  Bride  of 
Christ.  "For  we  are  members  of  His  body."26  Can  there 
be  anything  more  precious  than  the  thought  of  Jesus  com- 
ing to  take  unto  Himself  His  Bride?  It  is  full  of  ten- 
derness and  love.  What  will  He  not  do  for  her  when  He 
presents  her  unto  Himself!  The  ecstasy  of  that  meeting 
is  above  the  power  of  description  by  tongue  or  pen.  "Eye 
hath  not  seen,  nor  ear  heard;  neither  have  entered  into 
the  heart  of  man,  the  things  which  God  hath  prepared 
for  them  that  love  Hun."  1  Cor.  2:9.  We  have  indeed 
"an  earnest"  "by  His  Spirit,"— the  "first  fruits"  a  fore- 
taste of  the  joys  to  come.  But  THEN  shall  the  Church 
experience  the  rest  of  love — the  fulness  of  communion — 
the  rapture  of  her  Lord's  embrace,  and  be  satisfied  in  the 
sweetness  of  His  love. 

The  comfort  of  this  truth  is  all  lost  if  we  fail  to  make 
the  proper  distinction  between  the  Church  land  the  King- 
dom. The  Church  is  not  to  be  reigned  over,  but  is  to 
reign  with  Christ.27 

No  more  heart-pangs   nor   sadness 

When  Jesus  comes; 
All  peace  and  joy  and  gladness 
When  Jesus  comes. 

He'll  know  the  way  was  dreary, 

When  Jesus  comes; 
He'll  know  the  feet  grew  weary, 

When   Jesus   comes. 

(26)   Eph.     5:25.       Husbands,  31.  For  this  cause  shall  a  man 

love  your  wives,   even  as   Christ  leave  his  father  and  mother,  and 

also  loved  the  church,  and  gave  shall  cleave  to  his  wife ;  and  the 

himself  up  for  it ;  two  shall  become  one  flesh. 

26.  That  he  might  sanctify  It,  32.  This  mystery  is  great :  but 
having  cleansed   it  by  the  wash-  I  speak  in  regard  of  Christ  and 
ing  of  water  with   the  word,  of    the    church. 

27.  That  he  might  present  the  (27)   2    Tim.    2:11.       It  is    a 
church    to     himself     a     glorious  faithful    saying :    For    If    we    be 
church,     not     having     spot     or  dead   with    him,   we    shall     also 
wrinkle  or  any  such  thing;   but  live  with  him: 

that  it  should  be  holy  and  with-          12.  If  we  suffer,  we  shall   al- 

out  blemish.  so  reign  with   him:   if   we   deny 

30.  Because   we    are    members  him,  he   also   will   demy   us. 
of  his  body. 


206  JESUS  IS  COMING. 

He'll  know  what  griefs  oppressed  me, 

When  Jesus  comes; 
Oh,  how  His  arms  will  rest  me! 

When   Jesus  comes. 

This  subject  of  our  Lord's  coming  again  is  of  such  vital 
importance  land  is  so  largely  interwoven  with  the  whole 
of  Scripture,  that  it  affords  a  boundless  field  of  investi- 
gation and  an  exhaustless  mine  of  truth.  There  is  much 
more  we  would  be  glad  to  say  about  it,  but  our  little  book 
has  already  exceeded  the  intended  limit,*  and  we  will  only 
add  a  few  words  in  regard  to  the  time. 

*To  those  who  may  wish  for  further  information  on  this 
subject,  we  would  recommend,  among  other  helps,  the  ser- 
mon by  Mr.  Moody.  "Maran-atha,"  by  Dr.  Brookes.  "He 
Will  Come,"  by  Dr.  Tyng.  "Plain  Papers  on  Prophetic 
Subjects,"  by  W.  Trotter.  Also  the  published  addresses  de- 
livered at  the  conferences  in  England,  to-wit:  "Sixteen  Ad- 
dresses on  the  Blessed  Hope,"  and  "Our  God  Shall  Come," 
and  especially  the  Pre-Millennial  Essays,  delivered  at  the 
Prophetic  Conference  in  New  York  and  "The  Great  Proph- 
ecies," by  Geo,  H.  Pemb«r. 


CHAPTEE  XX. 


The  Time. 

And  first  let  us  make  a  clear  distinction  between  the 
time  of  the  Rapture  and  the  time  of  the  Revelation. t  (See 
diagram.) 

The  principal  thought  in  regard  to  the  former  is  that  it 
may  happen  NOW.  Nothing  is  given  us  in  Scripture  so 
definite  as  to  form  a  sign  of  or  date  for  the  Rapture.  We 
are  to  be  always  watching  and  waiting  for  it,  and  expect- 
ing it  at  any  moment. 

It  is  true  that  the  Church  may  see  the  "fig  tree  signs" 
BEGIN  to  come  to  pass1  before  she  shall  be  taken  out  of 
the  world  to  escape  the  Tribulation.2 

But  these  signs  are  of  such  a  nature,  especially  the 
"wars  and  earthquakes,"  "distress  of  nations,  sea  and 
waves  roaring,"  that  the  Church  in  each  of  the  past  eight- 

tFailure  to  do  this  has  led  many  to  make  grievous  errors 
in  setting  dates  for  our  Lord's  return. 


(1)  Lu.  21:25.  And  there 
shall  be  signs  in  the  sun,  and 
in  the  moon,  and  in  the  stars ; 
and  upon  the  earth  distress  of 
nations,  •with  perplexity ;  the 
sea  and  the  waves  roaring ; 

26.  Men's  hearts   failing   them 
for   fear,    and   for   looking   after 
those    things    which    are    coming 
on  the  earth :   for  the  powers  of 
heaven   shall  be  shaken. 

27.  And    then    shall    they    see 
the  Son  of    man    coming    in    a 
cloud    with    power      and    great 
glory. 

28.  And  when  these  things  be- 
gin  to   come   to   pass,    then    look 
up,  and  lift  up  your  heads  ;   for 
your  redemption  draweth  nigh. 

29.  And    he   spake   to   them   a 
parable  ;  Behold  the  fig  tree,  and 
all  the  trees ; 

30.  When    they    now       shoot 


forth,  ye  see  and  know  of  your 
own  selves  that  summer  is  now 
nigh  at  hand. 

31.  So  likewise  ye,  when  ye 
see  these  things  come  to  pass, 
know  ye  that  the  kingdom  of 
God  is  nigh  at  hand. 

(2)  Lu.  21 :34.  But  take  heed 
to  yourselves,  lest  haply  your 
hearts  be  overcharged  with  sur- 
feiting, and  drunkenness,  and 
cares  of  this  life,  and  that  day 
come  on  you  suddenly  as  a 
snare : 

35.  For  so  shall  it  come  upon 
all  them  that  dwell  on  the  face 
of  all  the  earth. 

36.  But   watch    ye     at    every 
season,  making  supplication,  that 
ye    may    prevail    to    escape    all 
these   things   that   shall   come  to 
pass,    and    to    stand    before    the 
Son  of  man. 


(207) 


208 


JESUS  IS  COMING. 


een  centuries  might  consistently  have  believed  that  the 
signs  were  BEGINNIHG. 

So  we  have  no  date  for  the  Rapture,  ONLY  that  it  will 
precede  the  Revelation.  That  is,  that  Christ  will  come  for 
His  Church3  before  He  comes  with  His  Church,4  the  period 
of  the  Tribulation  lying  between  the  two. 

The  time  of  the  Revelation,  we  believe,  is  designated 
by  many  prophetic  periods,  in  Lev.  26,  Daniel  and  Reve- 
lation. But  their  symbolical  character  and  our  imperfect 
chronology  render  the  interpretation  of  them  difficult  and 
uncertain.  We  must  not  take  space  here  to  consider  them, 
but  we  venture  to  state  that  earnest  and  prayerful  study 
of  them  has  given  us  an  assured  conviction  that  they  are 
rapidly  drawing  to  a  close. 

Two  events  must  precede  the  Revelation,  which  will 
indicate  its  proximity,  to- wit:  the  Restoration  (partial  at 
least)  of  Israel,5  and  the  rise  of  Antichrist.6 


(3)  1    Thes.    4:16.      For   the 
Lord  himself  shall  descend  from 
heaven,    with   a   shout,   with  the 
voice  of  the  archangel,  and  with 
the  trump  of  God :  and  the  dead 
in  Christ  shall  rise  first; 

17.  Then  we  that  are  alive, 
that  are  left,  shall  together  with 
them  be  caught  up  in  the  clouds, 
to  meet  the  Lord  in  the  air : 
and  so  shall  we  ever  be  with  the 
Lord. 

(4)  Jude  14.    And  Enoch  also, 
the  seventh  from  Adam,  prophe- 
sied of  these,  saying,  Behold,  the 
Lord   cometh   with   ten  thousand 
of  his  saints. 

(5)  Ezek.   22:19.        Therefore 
thus  saith    the    Lord    GOD  ;   Be- 
cause ye    are   all   become  dross, 
behold,    therefore    I    will    gather 
you  into  the  midst  of  Jerusalem. 

20.  As  they  gather  silver,  and 
brass,    and    iron,    and    lead,    and 
tin,     into     the     midst     of     the 
furnace,    to    blow    the    flre  upon 
It,   to  melt  it;  so  will  I  gather 
you   in    mine    anger   and    in   my 
fury,  and  I  will  leave  you  there, 
and  melt  you. 

21.  Yea,  I  will  gather  you,  and 
blow  upon  you  in  the  fire  of  my 


wrath,  and  ye  shall  be  melted  in 
the  midst  thereof. 

22.  As  silver  is  melted  in  the 
midst  of  the  furnace,  so  shall  ye 
be  melted  in  the  midst  thereof ; 
and  ye  shall  know  that  I  the 
LORD  have  poured  out  my  fury 
upon  you. 

(6)  Zech.  13:8.  And  it  shall 
come  to  pass,  that  in  all  the 
land,  saith  the  Lord,  two  parti 
therein  shall  be  cut  off  and  die-, 
but  the  third  shall  be  left  there- 
in. 

9.  And  I  will  bring  the  third 
part  through  the  flre,  and  will 
refine  them  as  silver  is  refined, 
and  will  try  them  as  gold  is 
tried :  they  shall  call  on  my 
name,  and  I  will  hear  them :  I 
will  say,  It  is  my  people :  and 
they  shall  say,  The  Lord  is  my 
God. 

2  Thes.  2  :7.  For  the  mystery 
of  iniquity  doth  already  work : 
only  he  who  now  letteth  will 
let.  until  he  be  taken  out  of  the 
way. 

8.  And  then  shall  that  Wicked 
be  revealed,  whom  the  Lord  shall 
consume  with  the  spirit  of  his 
mouth,  and  shall  destroy  with 
the  brightness  of  his  coming. 


THE   TIME.  209 

But  Antichrist  will  not  be  revealed—  as  we  understand 
from  2  Thes.  2:7,—  until  after  the  Rapture.  Neither  is  it 
probable  that  the  restoration  of  Israel  (except  partially  in 
unbelief,  Zeph.  2  :l-2),  will  take  place  until  after  that  event. 
For  "Jerusalem  shall  be  trodden  down  ....  until  the 
times  of  the  Gentiles  be  fulfilled"  (Luke  21:24),  'and  the 
tabernacle  of  David  shall  not  be  rebuilt  until  He  has  taken 
out  of  the  Gentiles  a  people  to  His  name.  Acts  15  :14-16. 

It  has  pleased  God  to  give  signs,  or  evidences,  of  the 
approach  of  these  events  and  by  which  we  might  know 
that  the  day  was  drawing  near,7  but,  as  we  have  before 
said,  they  have  been  of  such  a  character  that  the  Church 
could  see  them  repeated  in  each  generation.  And  this  we 
believe  was  purposely  designed,  in  order  to  give  the  church 
NO  DATE  and  NO  SIGN  which  might  so  definitely  indicate 
the  time  of  her  Rapture,  that  she  should  in  any  interval 
cease  to  be  vigilant.  It  was  evidently  all  planned,  so  that 
the  unfolding  of  events  should  be,  to  her,  a  constant  in- 
centive to  watchfulness. 

The  High  Priest  went  into  the  Holy  of  Holies  alone, 
and  the  whole  congregation  waited  in  expectation  without 
until  he  had  made  the  offering  and  came  forth  to  bless 
them.  Lev.  16  ;  Nu.  6  :23-26  ;  Lu.  1  :10.  So  has  our  High 
Priest  entered  once  for  all  into  the  TRUE  HOLY  PLACE,  and 
the  Church  should  look  for  Him  in  fervent  expectation, 
until  He  appears  the  second  time  without  sin.  unto  salva- 
tion.8 She  must  watch  "with  loins  girded  about  and  lights 
burning,  like  men  that  WAIT  for  their  Lord." 

(7)  Heb.  10  :25.     Not  forsak-      place   every   year  with  blood  of 
Ing  the   assembling  of   ourselves       others  ; 

together,  as  the  manner  of  some          26.  For    then    must    he    often 

is;  but  exhorting    one    another:  tave   suffered   since   the    founda- 

and  so  much  the  more  as  ye  see  tjon  Q(  tne  worid  :  fcut  now  once 

the  day  approaching.  ln  tne  end  of  tne  worid  hath  he 

(8)  Heb.  9  :24.     For  Christ  is  appeared  to  put  away  sin  by  the 
not  entered  into  the  holy  places  sacrifice  of  himself. 

made  with  hands,  which  are  the  __     .     ,         .. 


the  presence  of   God  for  us: 

25.  Nor    yet    that    he    should  28.  So  Christ  was  once  offered 

offer   himself   often,    as   the  high  to   bear   the   sins   of  many:    and 

priest    entereth     into    the    holy  unto    them   that    look    for    him 


210  JESUS  IS  COMING. 

Yet  we  have  the  blessed  assurance  that  every  passing 
day  brings  our  salvation  nearer  than  when  we  believed.9 
And,  while  it  is  true  that  the  church,  during  all  her  his- 
tory, has  had  repeated  evidence  that  the  day  was  approach- 
ing, we  ask,  what  are  these  evidences  in  our  time?  Surely 
they  are  of  especial  significance. 

We  believe,  if  we  can  rightly  read  the  signs  of  the 
times,  that  the  godless,  lawless  trio  of  communism,  nihil- 
ism and  anarchy,  so  alarmingly  permeating  the  nations 
today,  are  unclean  spirits  preparing  the  way  for  Anti- 
christ. 

The  Jews  Returning. 

And,  again,  the  Jews  are,  even  now,  returning  to  Jeru- 
salem. 

It  is  said  that,  "At  the  beginning  of  the  nineteenth 
century  the  Porte  allowed  no  more  than  three  hundred  of 
the  hated  people  to  live  in  the  city.  Forty  years  later  that 
restriction  was  removed,  but  another  still  remained,  by 
virtue  of  which  they  were  permitted  only  to  reside  in  a 
particular  quarter  of  the  town,  which  was  much  too  small 
for  them.  It  was  in  the  year  1867  this  last  regulation  was 
removed  and  since  then  the  progress  made  by  the  Jews  in 
peopling  their  ancient  capital  has  been  extraordinary.  Al- 
most every  one  of  the  old  houses  as  it  fell  vacant  has  been 
bought  by  them  while  they  have  built  a  prodigious  num- 
ber of  new  ones  in  all  parts  of  the  town.  Schools,  hospitals 
and  religious  associations  have  been  started  on  a  grand 
scale,  as  also  a  school  for  manual  training  and  of  agri- 
culture." 

At  the  present  time,  1908,  the  city  of  Jerusalem  has 
spread  over  a  large  extent  of  ground  outside  the  walls. 
Great  hospices,  hotels,  churches,  stores,  etc.,  have  been 
erected,  but  most  notable  of  all,  a  multitude  of  dwellings 
for  the  Jews. 

The  number  of  Jews  now  residing  in  the  inner  and  outer 

shall  be  appear  the  second  time  high  time  to  awake  out  of  sleep ; 

•without  sin  unto  salvation.  for  now  is  our  salvation  nearer 

(9)   Rom.   13 :11.      And    that,  than   when  we  believed, 
knowing  the  time,  that  now  it  is 


ISRAEL   RETURNING.  211 

city  is  estimated  at  from  40,000  to  50,000,  being  more  than 
half  the  entire  population.  Besides  these,  there  are  large 
colonies  at  Tiberias,  Safed,  Joppa  and  Hebron,  and  several 
other  smaller  ones  in  various  parts  of  the  country.  The  en- 
tire Jewish  population  of  Palestine  is  said  to  be  more  than 
80,000,  so  that  a  greater  number  have  already  returned 
than  the  49,697  who  went  up  with  Zerubbabel  from  Baby- 
lon. Ezra  2 :64-65. 

The  anti-semitic  agitations  in  Germany,  Austria  and 
France,  and  the  fierce  persecutions  in  Russia  and  Roumania, 
have  stirred  up  the  Jews  of  the  world  as  the  eagle  doth 
her  nest.  Deut.  32 :11. 

National  hopes  and  aspirations  have  found  vent  in  the 
organization  of  Chovevi  Zion  (Lovers  of  Zion)  societies, 
and  Shova  Zion  (colonization)  societies  throughout  Europe 
and  America.  Land  is  being  purchased  and  funds  raised, 
on  installment  plans,  to  send  back  the  members  by  lot. 

A  railroad"  has  been  completed  from  Joppa,  and  the  en- 
gine speeds  up  to  Jerusalem  like  one  of  Nahum's  "flaming 
torches,"  (Nahum  2,  3)  which,  the  prophet  says,  "shall  be 
in  the  day  of  His  preparation,"  over  the  roadway  which  the 
Arabs  call  "Trek  el  Kods,"  significantly  coinciding  with  the 
Hebrew  "Derech  Hakodesh"  ("Way  of  Holiness)  of  Isa. 
35:8. 

This  "highway,"  cast  up  as  the  Hebrew  "Maslol"  indi- 
cates,  is  a  special  preparation  for  the  return  of  the  people 
to  Zion.  Isa.  35:10. 

Other  lines  of  railway  are  projected  or  actually  under 
construction  to  Hebron,  Jericho,  Acre,  Tiberias  and  Damas- 
cus. 

The  Turkish  hold  upon  the  country  is  continually  weak- 
ening, and  there  is  considerable  talk  of  a  Jewish  state. 
May  we  not  conclude  that  the  Lord  is  even  now  setting 
"His  hand  'again  the  second  time"  for  the  restoration  of 
His  people?10 

(10)   Isa.  11:11.     And  It  shall  from   Egypt,    and    from   Pathros, 

come  to  pass  in  that  day,  that  the  and  from  Gush,  and  from  El  am, 

Lord    shall    set    his    hand   again  an£    from     Shinar,     and     from 

tne   second   time   to   recover  the  Hamath,  and  from  the  islands1  of 

remnant    of     his     people,     which  ^     seft 
•shall  be  left,  from  Assyria,  a&d 


212  JESUS  IS  COMING. 

"He  that  scattereth  Israel  will  gather  him,  and  keep 
him  as  a  shepherd  doth  his  flock."  Jer.  31:10. 

Besides  these,  we  have  other  evidences.  Many  are  run- 
ning to  and  fro  upon  the  highways  of  travel,  or  searching 
diligently  through  and  through  the  prophetic  Word,  which 
is  doubtless  the  true  meaning  of  the  passage  (Dan.  12:4) 
and  which  is  a  sign  of  "the  time  of  the  end." 

The  awful  dearth  of  spiritual  life  in  the  great  nominal 
church  is  another  evidence. 

The  restless  and  perplexed  condition  of  the  nations  is 
also  suggestive.  And  there  are  several  other  evidences  of 
which  we  might  speak,  all  of  which  substantiate  the  fact 
that  the  day  is  "approaching."  Heb.  10 :25. 

And  lastly,  while  it  is  entirely  unscriptural  and  wrong 
to  put  the  second  coming  of  our  Lord  any  distance  into  the 
future,  and  likewise  unscriptural  and  wrong  to  fix  a  date, 
or  name  the  time  when  He  shall  come  for  His  bride,  yet 
there  will  be  &  privileged  company  of  saints  living  upon  the 
earth11  at  the  time  when  He  shall  descend  from  heaven,12 
and  who  shall  say  that  they  will  all  be  taken  by  surprise? 
Every  generation  that  has  lived  since  He  went  away,  how- 
ever dark  and  unspiritual  it  may  have  been,  has  had  its 
band  of  faithful  watching  ones. 

Shortly  previous  to  the  first  coming  of  Christ,  the  Holy 
Ghost,  although  He  had  given,  through  Daniel,  the  definite 
prophecy  of  the  seventy  weeks,  gave  a  special  revelation 
unto  the  devout  Simeon, — who  was  "waiting  for  the  con- 
solation of  Israel,"  to-wit:  "that  he  should  not  see  death 
before  he  had  seen  the  Lord's  Christ.  Luke  2:26.  And 
this  leads  us  to  ask:  May  not  the  same  blessed  Spirit, 
who  thus  revealed  this  mighty  event  to  Simeon  of  old  (and 
probably  to  the  aged  Anna,  also)13  likewise  give  unto  a 

(11)    1  Cor.  15 :51.     Behold,  I  corrruptible,     and    we    shall    be 

shew   you    a   mystery ;   We   shall  changed. 

not  all  sleep,  but  we  shall  all  be          (12)    1   Thes.   4:16.     For  the 

changed.  Lord  himself  shall  descend  from 

heaven,   with    a   shout,   with   the 

52.  In  a  moment,  In  the  twlnk-  voice  of  the  archangel,  and  with 

ling  of  an  eye,  at  the  last  trump :  the  trump  of  God :  and  the  dead 

for    the     trumpet     shall     sound,  in  Christ  shall  rise  first. 
and  the  dead  shall  be  raised  in-          (13)   Lu.     2:36.       And    there 


THE  TIME.  213 

favored  one,  or  a  chosen  few  of  the  faithful  watching 
ones,  to  know  that  their  glad  eyes  shall  see  His  appearing, 
and  that  they  shall  never  taste  of  death.1*  Even  so  now, 
many  of  the  most  devout  and  faithful  of  God's  people, 
in  all  denominations,  both  in  this  and  foreign  lands,  are 
seriously  impressed  with  the  conviction,  that  the  coming  of 
the  Lord  is  near. 

These  are  certainly  sufficient  evidences  to  enforce  the 
apostle's  injunction,  that  we  should  exhort  one  another 
"and  so  much  the  more  as"  we  "see  the  day  approaching." 
Heb.  10:25. 

For,  if  the  day,  or  Revelation,  is  near,  the  Rapture  is 
still  nearer.  And  again  the  general  conviction  among 
Bible  students  and  earnest  Christians,  that  the  great  pro- 
phetic periods,  which  point  to  the  Revelation  are  nearly 
ended,  and  the  deep  conviction  expressed  by  many,  includ- 
ing even  statesmen  and  scientists,  that  some  great  event  is 
near,  may  well  lead  us  to  enquire, 

Watcnman,  What  of  the  Night? 

Ever  since  the  sin  of  Adam  and  Eve  this  world  has  been 
a  DARK  PLACE/5  a  moral  "Night."16  By  faith  the  believer 
looks  forward,  through  prophecy,  to  the  Day,15  the  glori- 
ous Day,  which  is  coming,  when  salvation,  which  is  now  by 

was  one  Anna,  a  prophetess,  the  also  a  more  sure  word  of  proph- 

daughter  of  Phanuel,  of  the  tribe  ecy ;   whereunto  ye  do   well   that 

of  Aser :  she  was  of  a  great  age,  ye    take    heed,    as    unto    a    light 

and    had    lived    with    a    husband  that  shlneth  in  a  dark  place,  un- 

seven  years  from  her  virginity ;  til   the  day   dawn,   and   the  day- 

37.  And   she   was   a   widow   of  star  arise  in   your   hearts, 
about   fourscore   and   four   years,  (16)   John  1:5.     And  the  light 
which    departed    not     from     the  shineth    in     darkness ;     and    the 
temple,     but     served     God    with  darkness  comprehended  it  not 
fastings    and   prayers   night   and  10.  He  was  in  the  world,  and 
day.  the  world  was  made  by  him,  and 

38.  And  she    coming    in    that  the  world   knew   him  not. 
instant  gave  thanks  likewise  un-  John    3 :19.      And   this   Is    the 
to  the  Lord,  and  st>ake  of  him  to  condemnation,  that  light  is  coma 
all  them  that  looked  for  redemp-  into   the    world,    and    men    loved 
tion   in   Jerusalem.  darkness    rather   than    light,    be- 

(14)  John  11:26.     And    who-  cause  their  deeds  were  evil, 
soever    liveth    and    believeth    in  20.  For   every   one   that   doetb 
me   shall     never    die.     Believest  evil    hateth    the    light,    neither 
thou  this?  cometh    to    the     light,     lest     bis 

(15)  2   Pet.   1:19.     We   have  deeds  should  be  reproved. 


214  JESUS  18  COMING, 

i 

faith  and  hope,17  shall  be  revealed18  in  all  its  grandeur  and 
glory.19  For  this  Day  the  hearts  of  God's  people  yearn 
with  earnest  desire. 

"Watchman,  what  of  the  Night?" 

"Watchman,  what  of  the  Night?" 

The  watchman  said:  "The  MORNING  cometh,  and  also 
the  NIGHT."  Isa.  21:11-12. 

To  the  believer  it  will  be  Morning; 

To  the  ungodly  it  will  be  Night. 

Jesus  is  the  Morning  Star,20  and  He  is  also  the  Sun  of 
Righteousness.21  Only  those  who  are -up  early  and  watch- 
ing see  the  Morning  Star.  So  it  will  be  only  the  true  and 
faithful  church  which  will  see  Christ  at  the  Rapture  as  the 
Bright  and  Morning  Star. 

As  the  Son  of  Righteousness  He  will  appear  to  Israel, 
and  all  the  world,  at  the  Revelation. 

Over  forty  centuries  of  the  Night  were  past  when  Paul 
wrote,  "the  Night  is  far  spent,  the  Day  is  at  hand."  (Rom. 
13:12).  And  surely,  as  eighteen  centuries  have  since 
passed,  it  must  now  be  ALMOST  MORNING. 

0!  then,  dear  reader,  "let  us  who  are  of  the  Day,  be 
sober,  putting  on  the  breastplate  of  faith  and  love;  and 
for  an  hemlet,  the  HOPE  OF  SALVATION.  For  God  hath  not 
appointed  us  to  wrath,  but  to  obtain  Salvation  by  our 

(17)  Rom.   8:24.   For  we  are      and    glory    at    the    appearing    of 
saved  by  hope :  but  hope  that  is      Jesus1  Christ : 

seen  is  not  hope  :  for  what  a  man  (19)    1  Cor.  2  :9.     But  as  it  is 

seeth,  why  doth  he  yet  hope  for?  written,   Eye  hath  not  seen,  nor 

25.  But  if  we  hope  for  that  we  ear   heard,   neither  have  entered 

see  not,  then  do  we  with  patience  into    the    heart     of     man,      the 

wait   for   it.  things  which  God  hath  prepared 

(18)  1    Pet.    1 :5.       Who     are  for  them   that  love  him. 

kept    by     the     power     of      God  (20)    Rev.      22:16.      I      Jesus 

through     faith      unto     salvation  have  sent  mine   angel   to  testify 

ready  to  be  revealed  in  the  last  unto    you    these    things     in     the 

time.  churches.     I  am  the  root  and  the 

6.  Wherein  ye  greatly  rejoice,  offspring     of     David,    and     the 
though  now  for  a  season,  if  need  bright  and  morning   star. 

be,  ye  are   in  heaviness  through  Also  2  Pet.  1 :19. 

manifold    temptations:  (21)    Mai.   4:2.      But   unto  you 

7.  That     the     trial     of     your  that  fear  my  name  shall  the  Son 
faith,  being  much  more  precious  of  righteousness  arise  with  heal- 
than     of     gold     that     perisheth,  Ing  in  his  wings ;  and  ye  shall  go 
though  it  be  tried  with  fire,  might  forth,  and  grow  up  as  calves  of 
be  found  unto  praise  and  honor  the  stall. 


THE   TIME.  215 

Lord  Jesus  Christ."  1  Thes.  5:8-9.  Therefore  let  us  not 
sleep,  as  do  others,  but  let  us  Watch  and  be  Sober.  1  Thes. 
5:6. 

A  dear  brother  writes  us  as  follows:  "I  find  so  many 
who  are  willing  to  receive  the  truth  of  the  Second  Coming, 
but  it  is  generally  those  who  are  passing  through  affliction, 
or  those  living  very  near  the  Lord.  Those  who  are  enjoying 
the  well  watered  plains  of  this  world,  seem  to  care  very 
little  about  seeing  the  Owner  of  the  Estate.  But  He  will 
come.  Hallelujah!  He  will  come.  Yes!  He  is  coming. 
The  bride  who  knows  the  Bridegroom,  and  is  true,  says, 
He  is  coming.  'Come  Lord  Jesus,'  Come !  Come ! !  Come ! ! ! 
Come!!!!  A  poor  cursed  earth  (Rom.  8:19-22)  groans 
out  Come!  Thank  heaven,  He  speaks: 

SURELY  I  COME  QUICKLY/  " 
Eev.  22:20. 

I'm  waiting  for  Thee,  Liord, 
Thy  beauty  to   see,  Lord, 
I'm  waiting  for  Thee, 
For  Thy  coming  again. 

Thou'rt  gone  over  there,  Lord, 
A  place  to  prepare,  Lord, 
Thy  home  I  shall  share 
At  Thy  coming  again. 

'Mid  danger  and  fear,  Lord, 
I'm  oft  weary  here,  Lord, 
The  time  must  be  near 
Of  Thy  coming  again. 

Whilst  Thou  art  away,  Lord, 
I  stumble  and  stray,  Lord, 
Oh,   hasten  the  day 
Of  Thy  coming  again. 


Blessed  are  those  servants,  whom  the  Lord,  when  he 
cometh,  shall  find  watching:  verily  I  say  unto  you,  that 
He  shall  gird  Himself  and  make  them  to  sit  down  to  meat, 
and  will  come  forth  and. serve  them.  Lu.  12:37. 


216  JESUS  18  COMING. 

"OCCUPY  TILL  I  COMB.* 

WAITING  FOR  THE  MORNING. 
Rev.  19:7. 

There  Is  no  roof  In  all  the  world,  of  palace  or  of  cot. 
That  hideth  not  some  burdened  heart,  nigh  breaking  for  its 

lot; 
The  earth  is  sunk  in  pain  and  tears,  and  closer  draws  the 

gloom; 
And  balm  for  cure  there  can  be  none,  till  Christ,  the  Lord, 

shall  come. 

"O   morn,    when   like   a  summer  bird,    my   spirit   shall   go 

free, — 
When  I  shall  see  Thee  as  Thou  art,  and  be,  my  God,  like 

Thee! 
Like  Thee!    like  Thee!   All  spotless   white— this  heart,   this 

will,  as  Thine! 
O  love  of  God,  O  blood  of  Christ,  O  grace  and  power  divine! 

"My  Saviour,  who  doth  know  the  thirst  the  longing  spirit 
feels, — 

O  Bridegroom,  now  so  long  afar,  why  stay  thy  chariot- 
wheels? 

Were  ever  eyes  so  dim  with  grief,  breasts  so  oppressed 
with  care? 

Did  ever  hearts  so  yearn  to  catch  Thy  whisper  from  the 
air?" 

Thou  lonely  one,  lift  up  thy  head,  array  thee  for  the  feast; 

He  that  hath  tarried  long  is  near — the  glow  is  in  the  East! 

O  Morning  Star,  so  soon  to  lead  Thy  chosen  one  away — 

O  Sun  of  Righteousness,  bring  in  the  everlasting  day! 


"REDEMPTION  DRAWETH  NIGH." 
Luke  21 :28. 

My  soul  crieth  out  for  a  jubilee  song! 
There  is  joy  in  my  heart,  let  me  praise  with  my  tongue; 
For  I  know,  though  the  darkness  of  Egypt  still  lowers, 
That  the  time  ere  release  is  not  ages,  but  hours. 

As  sailors,  not  yet  within  sight  of  the  strand, 

Know  well  their  approach  by  the  "loom  of  the  land;" 

So  they,  who  will  bend  but  a  listening  ear, 

Can  now  catch  the  whisper  that  tells  He  is  near. 

i 

He  IS   near — the  stars  in  their   courses  prepare 
To  utter  the  sign  He  hath  bid  them  declare! 
The  world  in  its  guilt  waxeth  ttaggrard  and  grim, 
And  its  cup  of  iniquity  fills  to  the  brim! 


REDEMPTION  DRAWETH  NIGH.  217 


The  curse  so  long  camped  upon  Bosphorus'  side, — 
And    she    that   sits    queen   upon    Tiber's    foul   tide, — 
And  Famine  and  Pestilence  stalk  in  the  band 
Of  witness,  attesting  the  Lord  is  at  hand. 

Spent  at  last  the  long  cycle  of  wilderness  dearth, 
Once  again  sounds   of  latter-rain  gladden  the  earth 
In   the   land,   still   despised,   but  preparing   e'en   now 
For  the  feet  that  shall  stand  upon  Olivet's  brow. 

And  thither  to  gather  the  tribes  have  begun, 
From  the  East  and  the  West,  from  the  climes  of  the  sun 
For  the  times  of  the  Gentiles  have  answered  their  need, 
And  the  hiss  has  gone  forth  unto  Israel's  seed. 

The  world  as  of  yore,  naught  of  all  doth  divine, — 
Saith  again  that  believers  are  filled  with  new  wine,— 
Suffers  warning  to  pass  all  unseen  and  unheard, 
And,  like  Herod,  fulfills  while  opposing  His  word. 

Then  welcome,  thrice  welcome,  ye  tokens  of  God! 
What   else   but   His   coming  can   comfort   afford? 
What  presence  but  His  set  this  prisoned  earth  free? 
O  Star  of  the  Morning,  our  hope  is  in  Thee! 

— From  "Waiting  for  the  Morning  and  Other  Poems.* 


CHAPTER  XXI. 


Flan  of  the  Aions  (Ages). 

The  following  diagram  is  intended  to  illustrate  the  chro- 
nological arrangement  of  the  dispensations  and  some  of 
the  principal  events  of  Bible  History. 

The  division  of  time  into  days,  months  and  years,  is 
fixed  by  the  movements  of  the  earth  and  moon.  The  term 
century  is  not  used  in  the  Scriptures,  but  the  next  greater 
measure  of  time  above  the  year  (Sabbatic  year  and  Jubilee 
year)  is  the  Greek  term  AION  or  English  EON,  from  which 
comes  our  word  age.  This  word  is  used  124  times  in  the 
New  Testament  and  is  translated  by  eight  different  English 
words,  viz:  "WORLD"  35  times. 


Matt. 


Mark 


12:32 
13:22 
13:39 
13:40 
13:49 
24:  3 
28:20 
4:19 
10:30 


Luke 


1  Cor. 


1:70 
16:  8 
18:30 
20:34 
20  :35 
9  :32 
3  :21 
15  :18 

12:2    2  Cor. 
"WORLDS,"   twice,   Heb.   1:2  and  11:13. 
"COURSE,"    once,    Eph.    2 :2. 
"ETERNAL"  twice,  Eph.  3  :11  and  1  Tim.  1 :17. 
"END,"  once,  Eph.  3  :21. 
"AGES,"   twice,   Eph.   2:7   and  Col.    1:26. 


John 
Acts 


Rom. 


1:20 
2:  6 
2:  6 
2:  7 
2:  8 
3:18 
8:13 
10:11 
4:  4 


Gal. 
Eph. 


1  Tim. 

2  Tim. 
Titus 
Heb. 


1:  4 
1:21 
3:  9 
3:21 
6:17 
4:10 
2:12 
6:  5 


Matt. 


Mark 
Luke 


John 


6:13 

21:19 

11:14 

1:33 

1:55 

6:51 

6:58 

8:35 


John 


Rom. 


2  Cor. 


8:35 
12:34 
14  :16 

1:25 

9:  5 
11:36 
16:27 

9:  9 


"EVER,"   30   times — 


Heb. 


1  Pet. 


5:  6 
6:20 
7:17 
7:21 
7:24 
13:  8 
1:23 
1:25 


With  a  negative  "NEVER"  7  times — 
Mark  3 :29     John  8 :51    John 

John  4 :14         "  8 :52 

"EVERMORE,"  3  times — 
2  Cor.  11:31        Heb.  7:28  Rev.  1:18 

"EVER  AND  EVER,"  21  times — 


10:28 
11:26 


Gal. 
Phil. 

1  Tim. 

2  Tim, 
Heb. 


1:  5 
4:20 
1:17 
4:18 
1:  8 


Heb. 
1  Pet 

Rev. 


13:21 
4:11 
5:11 
1:  6 
4:  9 


Rev. 


4:10 
5:13 
5":14 
7:12 
10:  6 


2  Pet. 

1  John 

2  John 
Jude 


John 


Rev. 


2:17 

3:18 

2:11 

2 

17 
25 


13:  8 


11:15 
14:11 
15:  3 
19:  5 
20:10 
22:  7 


(218) 


PLAN   OF    THE   AIONS. 


219 


or  42  times,  for  in  each  of  these  21  passages  it  is  used 
twice,  and,  in  all  but  Heb.  1:8,  it  is  in  the  plural  and 
multiplied  form,  "AIONS  of  AIONS/'  It  is  also  plural  in 


Lutoe 
Rom. 


1:33 

1:25 

9:  5 

11:36 

16:27 


ICter. 

2  Cor. 

Eph. 


2:  7 

10  :11 

11:31 

2:7 

3:  9 


Eph. 

Col. 
1  Tim. 
Heb. 


3:11 
3:21 
1:26 
1:17 
1:  2 


Heb. 


Judo 


9:26 

11:  3 

13:  8 

25 


If  the  reader  will  carefully  examine  these  passages,  and 
substitute  the  original  word  aion  or  aions,  he  will  at  once 
see  that  it  is  used  not  to  indicate  the  material  or  physical 
world,  but  as  a  measurement  of  time. 

"It  shall  not  be  forgiven  him,  neither  in  this  aion, 
neither  in  the  aion  to  come."  Mat.  12 :32. 

"The  harvest  is  the  end  of  the  aion."— "So  shall  it  be  at 
the  end  of  this  aion."  Mat.  13 :39-40. 

"Let  no  fruit  grow  on  thee  henceforward  for  an  aion.>} 
Mat.  21 :19. 

"What  shall  be  the  sign  of  thy  coming  and  of  the  end 
of  the  aion."  Mat.  24:3. 

"Hath  not  forgiveness  to  (or  for)  the  aion,  but  is  in 
danger  of  aionian*  sin."  Mark  3:29. 

"But  he  shall  receive  ....  in  the  aion  to  come  eternal 
life."  Mark  10:30. 


•The 

adjective 

"aionios" 

is 

used  TO  times,  as  follows  : 

Matt 

18 

:  8 

John 

5 

:24 

Rom. 

6:23 

Philm. 

15 

" 

19 

'16 

•• 

5 

:39 

" 

16:25 

Heb. 

5: 

9 

" 

19 

:29 

" 

6 

:27 

" 

16:26 

G: 

2 

«• 

25 

•41 

" 

6 

:40 

2  Cor. 

4:17 

9: 

12 

" 

25 

:46 

" 

6 

:47 

" 

4:18 

0: 

14 

Mark 

3 

:29 

" 

6 

:54 

" 

5:  1 

9  : 

15 

" 

10 

:17 

" 

6 

:6S 

Gal. 

6:  8 

13: 

20 

•* 

10 

:30 

•• 

10 

:28 

2  Thes. 

1:  9 

IP 

et. 

5: 

10 

Luke 

10 

:25 

" 

12 

:25 

" 

2:16 

2F 

et 

1: 

13 

16 

:  9 

" 

12 

:50 

1  Tim. 

1:16 

1  J 

>hn 

1: 

2 

•• 

18 

:18 

«« 

17 

:  2 

" 

6:12 

2: 

25 

" 

18 

:30  . 

•" 

17 

:  3 

•• 

6:16 

3: 

15 

John 

3 

:15 

Acts 

13 

:46 

" 

6:19 

5: 

11 

3 

•16 

•• 

13 

:48 

2  Tim. 

1:  9 

5: 

13 

M 

3 

:36 

Rom. 

2 

:  7 

" 

2:10 

5: 

20 

" 

4 

:14 

" 

5 

:21 

Titus 

1:  2 

Jude 

7 

" 

4 

:36 

" 

G 

:22 

" 

3:  7 

" 

21 

Rev. 

14 

:G 

It  is 

translated 

everlasting, 

eternal    or 

forever 

except    in 

three 

passages,  where  it  is  world, 

Rom. 

16  :25  aionian  times,  2  Tim.  1  :9, 

and  Titus  1  :2   before  aionian 

times. 

220  JESUU  18  COMING-. 

•^ 

"For  ever,"  i.  e.  for  the  aions.  Luke  1:33;  Rom.  1:25; 
9:5;  11:36;  2  Cor.  11:31;  Heb.  13:8. 

"For  ever,"  i.  e.  for  the  aion.  Luke  1 :55 ;  John  6 : 51-58 ; 
8:35;  12:34;  14:16;  2  Cor.  9:9;  Heb.  5:6;  6:20;  7:17;  21, 
24,  28;  1  Pet.  1:25;  1  John  2:17;  2  John  2;  Jude  13. 

"The  children  of  this  aion  are  ....  wiser  than  the  chil- 
dren of  light."  Luke  16:8. 

"The  children  of  this  aion  marry.  .  .  .  but  they  which 
shall  be  accounted  worthy  to  obtain  that  aion  and  the  resur- 
rection from  the  dead,  neither  marry  nor  are  given  in 
marriage."  Luke  20:34-35. 

"Shall  thirst  not  for  the  aion."    John  4 :14. 

"Not  for  the  aion."  John  8:51-52;  10:28;  11:26;  13:8; 
1  Cor.  8:13. 

"Known  unto  God  are  all  his  works  from  the  beginning 
of  the  aion."  (lit.  from  an  aion).  Acts  15:18. 

"To  God  only  wise,  be  glory  through  Jesus  Christ  for 
the  aion."  Rom.  16:27. 

"Not  the  wisdom  of  this  aion,  nor  of  the  princes  of  this 
aion  ....  but  we  speak  ....  even  the  hidden  wisdom 
which  God  ordained  before  the  aions."  1  Cor.  2:6-7. 

"For  our  admonition  upon  whom  the  ends  of  the  aions 
are  come."  1  Cor.  10 :11. 

"In  whom  the  God  of  this  aion."    2  Cor.  4:4. 

"Who  gave  himself  ....  that  He  might  deliver  us 
from  this  present  evil  aion."  Gal.  1 :4. 

"Not  only  in  this  aion,  but  also  in  that  which  is  to  come." 
Eph.  1:21. 

"That  in  the  aions  to  come."    Eph.  2 :7. 

"The  mystery  which  from  the  aions  hath  been  hid." 
Eph.  3:9. 

"According  to  the  purpose  (plan)  of  the  aions."  Eph. 
3:11. 

"Unto  him  be  glory  ....  throughout  all  the  genera- 
tions of  the  aion  of  the  aions."  Eph.  3:21. 


PLAN   OF    THE   AIONS.  221 

"Now  unto  the  king  of  the  aions."    1  Tim.  1 :17. 

"Demas  hath  forsaken  me  having  loved  this  present 
aion."  2  Tim.  4:10. 

"By  whom  also  he  made  the  aion"    Heb.  1 :2. 

"Thy  throne,  0  God,  is  for  the  aion."  ("of  the  aion" 
not  authentic.)  Heb.  1 :8. 

"And  have  tasted  ....  the  powers  of  the  aion  to  come." 
Heb.  6:5. 

"But  now  once  in  the  end  (lit.  conjunction)  of  the 
aions."  (overlapped).  Heb.  9:26. 

"Through  faith  we  understand  that  the  aions  were 
framed."  ( adjusted )  .* 

"Both  now  and  for  the  day  of  the  aion."    2  Pet.  3 :18. 

"Both  now  and  throughout  all  the  aions."    Jude  25. 

"The  smoke  of  their  torment  ascendeth  up  for  aions  of 
aions."  Rev.  14:11. 

"Her  smoke  rose  up  for  the  aions  of  the  aions.  Rev. 
19:3. 

"Shall  be  tormented  day  and  night  for  the  aions  of  the 
aions."  Rev.  20 :10. 

"They  shall  reign  for  the  aions  of  the  aions."    Rev.  22 :5. 

Notice  that  we  have  the  singular  aion,  the  plural  aions 
and  aion  of  aions  (a  great  aion  composed  of  aions),  and 
the  multiplied  form  aions  of  aions. 

An  laion  has  an  end  (see  Mat.  13:39,  40,  49;  24:3; 
28:20),  and  as  another  follows  (see  Mat.  12:32;  Mark 
10:30;  Luke  18:30  and  20:35;  Eph.  1:21),  it  must  have  a 
beginning.  The  end  of  one  and  beginning  of  another 
overlap  so  that  Paul  could  say  "the  ends  of  the  aions 
have  come  upon  us."  1  Cor.  10:11.  There  are  many 
aions,1  both  in  the  past2  and  in  the  future.3 

(1)  Heb.   11 :3.  Through  faith      from     ages     (aions)     and     from 
we   understand    that   the   worlds      generations,   but    now    is    made 
(aions)     were      framed     by     the       manifest  to  his  saints. 

word    of    God,    so     that     things  (3)    Eph.   2:7.      That    in    the 

which  are  seen  were  not  made  of  ages    (aions)    to    come  he  might 

things  which  do  appear.  show  the  exceeding  riches  of  his 

(2)  Col.     1 :26.         Even      the  grace,     in    his    kindness    toward 
mystery   which    hath    been    hid  us,  through  Christ  Jesus. 


222  JESUS  IS  COMING. 

Jesus  is  the  King  of  the  aions,4  and  they  are  all  made 
by  Him6  according  to  a  Divine  Plan,  see  Greek,  "purpose 
(or  plan)  of  the  aions."6 

The  diagram  is  intended  to  illustrate  a  minute  section  of 
this  infinite  plan,  showing  seven  of  the  aions.  The  diverg- 
ing lines  represent  the  increase  of  population  suddenly 
cut  down  to  eight  at  the  flood  and  to  be  again  greatly  re- 
duced at  the  close  of  the  present  dispensation.7 

1.  Eden  the  aion  of  Innocence  terminating  in  the  ex- 
pulsion. 

2.  Antediluvian,  the  aion  of  freedom    (conscience  the 
only  restraint)   terminating  in  the  flood  !and  reduction  of 
the  race  to  the  eight  persons  of  Noah  and  his  family. 
During  this  aion  Enoch  is  caught  up,  a  type  of  the  coming 
rapture  of  the  Church. 

3.  Post-diluvian,    the    aion    of    government,   man    put 
under  civil  authority,8  terminating  in  the  destruction  of 
Sodom. 

4.  Patriarchal,   the  pilgrim   aion,9   terminating  in   the 
overthrow  of  Pharaoh  and  his  host  in  the  Red  Sea. 

5.  Mosaic,  the  Israelitish  aion,  terminating  in  the  cruci- 
fixion and  destruction  of  Jerusalem.     In  this  Elijah  be- 
comes another  type  of  the  rapture. 

6.  Christian,  the  aion  of  mystery,  terminating  in  the 

(4)  I  Tim.   1:17.     Now  unto  Also    Zech.     13:8,     14:12-13; 
the  King  eternal    (of  the  aions),  Rev.    14:18-20,    19:19-21. 
immortal,      invisible,     the     only  (8)   Gen.  9 :5.  And  surely  your 
wise   God,   te   honor    and    glory  blood   of   your    lives    will    I   re- 
for  ever  and  ever.     Amen.  quire ;    at    the    hand    of    every 

(5)  Heb.  1:2.     Hath  in  these  *east  wj»   I   require   it,   and   at 
last  days  spoken  unto  us  by  his  tne  hand  °*  man  :  at  the  nand  of 
Son,    whom    he    hath    appointed  every    man's    brother   will   I    re- 
heir  of  all  things,  by  whom  also  quLre^e  1Ife  of  man- 

he  made  the  worlds   (aions).  L, 6-  whoso        sheddeth      man's 

Also  Heb    11 :3  blood,  by  man  shall  his  blood  be 

shed:    for   in  the  image  of  God 

(6)  Eph.  3:11.     According  to      made  he  man 

the    eternal     purpose     which     he  (9)    Heb    n  :13        These     a,, 

purposed    in    Christ    Jesus    our  died  In  falthj  not  havlng  received 

k°r<*:  the   promises,   but    having    seen 

(7)  Rev.  9  :18.  By  these  three  them  afar  off,  and  were  persuad- 
was    the     third     part     of     men  ed  of  them,  and  embraced  them, 
killed,   by   the   fire,   and  by   the  and    confessed    that     they    were 
jmoke,     and    by    the    brimstone,  strangers    and    pilgrims    on    the 
which  issued  out  of  their  mouths.  earth. 


PLAN  OF   THE   AION8.  223 

great  tribulation,10  the  coming  of  the  Lord,  the  Judgment 
of  Nations,11  and  another  great  reduction  of  the  world's 
population.  During  this  aion  the  Jews  are  scattered  among 
all  nations.12 

7.  Millennium,  the  aion  of  manifestation,  (Rom.  8:19) 
terminating  in  Satan's  last  deception  and  the  Judgment  of 
the  great  white  throne.13 

Beyond  this  is  the  New  Heavens  and  New  Earth  wherein 
dwelleth  righteousness,1*  probably  the  beginning  of  another 
series  of  aions.  For,  these  seven  make  a  week  of  aions, 
corresponding  to  the  expression  in  Eph.  3 :21,  aion  of 
aions,  or  one  great  aion  composed  of  these  seven  aions. 
And,  in  harmony  with  the  weeks  of  years  appointed  unto 
Israel  (Lev.  25:8-11),  other  great  aions  are  to  follow  cor- 
responding to  the  expression  aions  of  aions.  See  Gal.  1 :5 
and  the  other  passages  cited  above.  Possibly  the  fiftieth 
aion  may  be  like  the  Jubilee  of  Lev.  25  and  then  again, 
aions  of  aions.  See  lower  section  of  diagram. 

But,  says  one,  if  aions  are  measured  periods  then  all 
aions  are  measured,  and  there  will  be  an  end  to  the  sorrows 
of  the  ungodly,15  and  the  glory  and  dominion  of  the  Lamb 

(10)  Matt.    24:21.      For  then      shall    be    trodden    down    of    the 
shall   be   great   tribulation,    such      Gentiles,   until   the  times/  of   the 
as  was   not   since   the   beginning      Gentiles  be  fulfilled. 

of   the  world   to   this   time,   no,  (13)   Rev.  20 :11.     And  I  saw 

nor  ever  shall  be.  a   great  white   throne,   and  him 

(11)  Matt   25:31.     When  the  that  sat  on  it,  from  whose  face 
Son   of  man   shall   come   in   his  the    earth    and    the    heaven    fled 
glory,    and   all    the    holy   angels  away ;  and  there  was    found    no 
with  him,  then  shall  he  sit  upon  place  for  them. 

the  throne  of  his  glory :  12-15   See   page  105. 

32.  And   before  him    shall    be          (14)   Isa.  65 :17.     For,  behold, 

gathered     all    nations :     and     he  I  create  new  heavens,  and  a  new 

shall  separate  them  one  from  an-  earth :   and  the  former  shall  not 

other,  as  a  shepherd  divideth  his  be    remembered,    nor   come    into 

sheep  from  the  goats :  mind. 

(12)  Amos    9:9.      For,    lo,    I          2  Pet.  3:13.     Nevertheless  we, 
will  command,  and  I  will  sift  the  according  to  his  promise,  look  for 
house    of    Israel    among    all    na-  new  heavens  and    a    new    earth, 
tions,  like  as  corn  is  sifted  in  a  wherein    dwelleth    righteousness, 
.sieve,    yet    shall    not    the    least          Also  Isa.  66  :22  ;  Rev.  21 :1. 
grain  fall  upon  the  earth.  (15)   Rev.  14:11.       And     the 

Lu.    21 :24.      And   they     shall  smoke   of   their  torment   ascend- 

fall   by  the   edge   of  the   sword,  eth  up  for  ever  and  ever:  (aions 

and    shall    be    led   away    captive  of  aions)    and  they  have  no  rest 

into  all  nations:  and  Jerusalem  day  nor  night,  who  worship  the 


224  JESUS  JS  COMING. 

and  his  saints.18  No,  beloved !  for  the  best  idea  we  mortals 
can  have  of  infinity  or  eternity  is  that  of  continual  meas- 
urement, and  this  is  exactly  the  idea  conveyed  by  the  in- 
definite expression  aions  of  aions. 

It  will  be  noticed  in  the  diagram  that  the  aions  are  not 
of  the  same  duration,  but  each  marks  a  change  in  God's 
method  of  dealing  with  mankind.  Probably  the  aions  of 
the  past,  the  Hebrew  olams  of  the  Old  Testament  mark  the 
geological  periods  of  the  earth  and  the  various  eras  in  the 
development  of  the  universe.  And  as  the  past  has  been  an 
orderly  unfolding  of  creation  and  revelation  of  the  Crea- 
tor, so  shall  the  future  be,  not  a  limitless  iaion  called  eter- 
nity, but  a  limitless  succession  of  aions  measuring  infinite 
duration.  Time  is  the  measure  of  eternity  and  eternity  is 
the  continued  measurement  of  time.  Take  for  instance  a 
yard  stick,  and  it  measures  only  three  feet.  But  turn  it 
over  and  over  and  over,  and  you  pass  around  the  world, 
out  to  the  moon,  the  sun,  the  stars,  the  farthermost  nebula, 
and  all  the  limits  of  imagination,  and  still  the  little  measure 
goes  on  and  on  into  the  unthinkable.  In  like  manner  the 
Scriptural  succession  of  aions  measures  eternity. 

The  events  at  the  beginning  of  this  present  aion,  viz.: 
tiie  crucifixion  and  ascension  of  our  Lord  and  the  descent 
of  the  Holy  Spirit  are  well  understood.  The  events  at  its 
close  constitute 

"The  Time  of  the  End" 

and  are  briefly  as  follows:  The  descent  of  the  Lord  with 
a  shout,  the  resurrection  of  those  who  sleep  in  Jesus,  the 

beast  anc*   his   image,   and  who-  ever.     Amen. 

soever  receiveth  the  mark  of  his  Rev.  11 :15.     And  the  seventh 

name.  angel   sounded ;    and  there   were 

Rev     20 :10.      And    the    devil,  great   voices    in    heaven,    saying, 

that  deceived  them,  was  cast  in-  The  kingdoms  of  this  world  ars 

to    the    lake    of    fire    and    brim-  become     the     kingdoms     of     our 

stone,    where   the   beast  and   the  Lord,  and  of  his  Christ ;   and  he 

false  prophet  are,  and  shall  be  shall    reign    for    ever    and    ever 

tormented     day     and     night     for  (aions  of  aions). 

ever  and  ever   (aions'  of  aions).  Rev.  22:5.    And  there  shall  be 

(16)    Rev.     1:6.       And     hath  no   night   there;    and    they   need 

made  us  kings   and  priests  unto  no  candle,  neither    light    of    the 

God  and  his   Father ;   to  him  6e  sun ;    for    the    Lord    God    giveth 

eJcry  and  dominion  for  ever  and  them  light :  and  they  shall  reign 


(225) 


226 


JESUS  18  COMING. 


change  in  a  moment  of  those  believers  who  are  alive  (1 
Cor.  15),  their  rapture,  or  being  caught  up  to  meet  the 
Lord  in  the  air  (1  Thes.  4:13-18),  to  enjoy  the  marriage 
feast  of  the  King's  Son,  the  Lamb  of  God.  Mat.  22:2, 
etc.;  25:10;  2  Cor.  11:2;  Eph.  5:25-32;  Rev.  19:7,  and 
Song  of  Solomon. 

While  this  is  occurring  in  the  air,  Israel  gathered 
to  Palestine  in  unbelief,17  rebuild  their  temple,  establish 
their  ancient  sacrifices  and  plunge  from  bad  to  worse  until 
Antichrist  arises,  and  they  make  a  covenant  with  him,18 
which  the  prophet  calls  a  covenant  with  death  and  sheol.19 
Terrible  persecutions  shall  follow,  called  "the  time  of 
Jacob's  trouble."20 

When  it  would  seem  that  all  wast  lost,21  then  the  Lord 


for    ever    and    ever     (aions    of 
aions). 

(17)  Zeph.  2:1.  Gather  your- 
selves  together,    yea,    gather    to- 
gether,  O   nation   not   desired ; 

2.  Before  the  decree  bring 
forth,  before  the  day  pass  as  the 
chaff,  before  the  fierce  anger  of 
the  LORD  come  upon  you,  before 
the  day  of  the  LOBD'S  anger  come 
upon  you. 

(18)  Dan.  9:27.    And  he  shall 
confirm  the  covenant  with  many 
for  one  week :   and  in  the  midst 
of  the   week  he   shall   cause   the 
sacrifice     and     the     oblation  -  to 
cease,  and  for  the  overspreading 
of    abominations    he    shall    make 
it  desolate,    even   until   the   con- 
summation,  and  that  determined 
shall  be   poured  upon  the  deso- 
late. 

John  5 :43.  I  am  come  in  my 
Father's  name,  and  ye  receive  me 
not;  if  another  shall  come  in  his 
own  name,  him  ye  will  receive. 

(19)  Isa.  28:15.     Because  ye 
have  said,  We  have  made  a  cov- 
enant with  death,  and  with  hell 
are  we  at  agreement ;  when  the 
overflowing    scourge    shall     pass 
through,  it  shall  not  come  unto 
us:   for  we  have  made  lies  our 


refuge,     and      under      falsehood 
have    we    hid    ourselves. 

(20)  Jer.     30:5.       For     thus 
saith  the  Lord ;   We  have  heard 
a    voice    of    trembling,    of    fear, 
and  not  of  peace. 

6.  Ask  ye  now,  and  see  wheth- 
er    a     man     doth     travail    with 
child?    wherefore  do  I  see  every 
man  with  his  hands  on  his  loins, 
as  a  woman  in  travail,   and  all 
faces    are   turned   into    paleness? 

7.  Alas !  for  that  day  is  great, 
so    that   none    is    like    it :     it    ia 
even  the  time  of  Jacob's  trouble. 
But  he  shall  be  saved  out  of  it 

(21)  Zech.  14:1.     Behold,  the 
day  of  the  Lord  cometh,  and  thy 
spoil   shall   be     divided    in    the 
midst  of  thee. 

2.  For   I   will    gather  all   na- 
tions  against   Jerusalem   to   bat- 
tle ;  and  the  city  shall  be  taken, 
and    the   houses    rifled,    and    the 
women  ravished  ;  and  half  of  the 
city  shall  go  forth  into  captivity, 
and   the    residue  of    the    people 
shall    not   be   cut    off    from   the 
city. 

3.  Then    shall    the     Lord     go 
forth,    and    fight    against    those 
nations,    as   when    he   fought    in 
the  day  of  battle. 

See  verses  4  and  5. 

Also  Jude   14;   2    Thes.    2:8- 


PLAN   OF   THE   AIONS. 


227 


shall  come  with  His  saints  down  to  the  earth  and  destroy 
this  lawless  Antichrist,  deliver  Israel,  who  will  then  look 
upon  "Him  they  have  pierced,"22  and  a  nation  shall  be  born 
in  a  day,  or  at  once.23  He  will  judge  the  living  nations 
and  establish  His  millennial  kingdom.  Psa.  2;  Dan.  2:44; 
Rev.  11:15. 

But  let  it  be  distinctly  remembered  that  we  have  no 
date  for  the  rapture,  the  coming  of  our  Lord  to  the  tryst- 
ing  place  in  the  air.24  We  are  to  live  with  our  loins  girt 
and  our  lamps  burning  like  men  that  wait  for  their  Lord. 
Luke  12:35-40.  And  yet,  in  the  unfolding  of  events  we 
may  see  the  day  approaching,25  the  beginnings  that  shall 
cause  us  to  lift  up  our  heads.26 


(22)  Zech.  12  :9.     And  it  shall 
come  to  pass  in  that  day,  that  I 
will   seek  to  destroy  all  the  na- 
tions that  come  against  Jerusa- 
lem. 

10.  And  I  will  pour  upon  the 
house   of    David,    and    upon    the 
Inhabitants     erf     Jerusalem,     the 
spirit  of  grace  and  of  supplica- 
tions ;   and  they  shall  look  upon 
me  whom  they  have  pierced,  and 
they    shall    mourn    for    him,    as 
one   mourneth   for    his  only  son, 
and    shall    be    in    bitterness    for 
him,    as   one   that   is    in   bitter- 
ness for  Tits  first-borni.  . 

11.  In  that  day  shall  there  be 
a  great  mourning  in  Jerusalem, 
as    the    mourning    of    Hadadrim- 
mon   in   the  \alley  of  Megiddon. 

12.  And  the  land  shall  mourn, 
every    family   apart ;    the    family 
of  the  house  of  David  apart,  and 
their    wives    apart ;    the    family 
of    the    hous'e    of    Nathan    apart, 
and   their  wives   apart ; 

13.  The    family    of   the    house 
of   Levi    apart,    and    their   wives 
apart ;     the     family     of     Shimei 
apart,    and   their    wives   apart ; 

14.  All   the   families   that   re- 
main,   every    family   apart,    and 
their  wives  apart. 

(23)  Isa.   66:   8.       Who    hath 
heard    such    a    thing?   who    hath 
seen     such    things?       Shall     the 
earth  be  made  to  bring  forth  in 
one  day?  or  shall    a    nation  be 


born  at  once?  for  as  soon  as 
Zion  travailed,  she  brought  forth 
her  children. 

(24)  Mark      13:32.      But      of 
that  day  and  that  hour  knoweth 
no    man,    no,     not     the     angels 
which  are  in  heaven,  neither  th9 
Son,  but  the  Father. 

33.  Take  ye  heed,   watch   and 
pray :    for    ye    know    not    when 
the  time  is. 

34.  For  the  Son  of  man  is  as 
a    man    taking    a    far     journey, 
who    left    his    house,    and    gave 
authority  to  his  servants,  and  to 
every   man   his    work,    and   com- 
manded the  porter  to  watch. 

35.  Watch    ye    therefore :    for 
ye  know  not  when  the  master  of 
the  house  cometh,  at  even,  or  at 
midnight,      or     at      the      cock- 
crowing,    or  in   the   morning : 

36.  Lest    coming    suddenly    he 
find   you    sleeping. 

37.  And  what  I  say  unto  you  I 
say  unto  all,  Watch. 

(25)  Heb.  10:25.    Not  forsak- 
ing the   assembling  of   ourselves 
together,  as  the  manner  of  some 
is;    but    exhorting    one   another: 
and  so  much  the  more  as  ye  see 
the  day  approaching. 

(26)  Luke  21:28.     And  when 
these    things    begin    to    come    to 
pass,   then   look  up,   and  lift  up 
your    heads ;    for    your    redemp- 
tion draweth  nigh. 


CHAPTER 

Signs  of  Christ's  Speedy  Coming. 

We  believe  that  the  coming  of  our  Lord  is  to  be  personal 
and  premillennial,  also,  that  it  is  imminent.  Let  us  re- 
member the  admonition  that  we  must  distinguish  between 
the  Rapture— His  coming  into  the  air  to  receive  His  saints, 
1  Thes.  4,  which  may  occur  at  any  moment — and  the  Reve- 
lation— His  coming  down  to  the  earth  with  His  saints — 
which  latter  will  not  occur  until  after  the  preaching  of  the 
gospel  as  a  witness,1  the  gathering  of  Israel,  in  unbelief, 
the  manifestation  of  Antichrist,  and  other  prophesied 
events.  Now  we  are  to  consider,  what  are  the  evidences 
for  also  believing  that  His  coming,  the  Rapture,  is  near. 
Out  of  many  reasons  we  will  give  seven,  as  follows: 

I.    The  Prevalence  of  Travel  and  Knowledge. 

"Shut  up  the  words  and  seal  the  book  even  to  the  time 
of  the  end :  many  shall  run  to  and  fro  and  knowledge  shall 
be  increased."  Dan.  12:4. 

A  comparison  of  recent  years  with  the  present  shows  a 
most  marvelous  increase  in  both  travel  and  knowledge. 

An  incident  is  told  of  a  woman  in  England  who,  after 
long  consideration  had  decided  on  a  journey.  Friends 
gathered  to  assist  her  departure  and  walked  by  the  con- 
veyance a  mile  or  more  to  bid  her  God-speed,  but  lo,  her 
entire  journey  was  only  fifty  miles. 

Now,  invention  has  chained  the  mighty  forces  of  steam 
and  electricity  to  palatial  carriages  by  land  and  sea,  so 
that  one  can  go  round  the  world,  with  comfort  and  ease,  in 
sixty  days. 

Railways  cover  the  earth  and  steamers  track  the  sea  like 
a  mighty  spider's  web. 

Our  text  says,  Many  shall  run  to  and  fro.    In  the  year 


t, 


L)   Matt.     24:14.       And    this      witness   unto     all     nations;     and 
gospel   of   the   kingdom   shall   be      then  shall  the  end  come, 
preached  in  all  the  world  for  a 

(228) 


SIGNS   OF  HIS    COMING.  229 

1896  the  number  of  passengers  carried  on  the  railroads  in 
the  United  States  was  535,120,756  and  the  mileage  was 
13,054,840,243,  and  in  the  whole  world  the  railroad  pas- 
sengers were  2,384,000,000  and  the  mileage  28,677,000,000. 
Add  to  this  the  travel  by  steamers  and  private  conveyance, 
the  explorations  into  every  conceivable  corner  of  the  earth, 
from  the  equator  to  the  poles,  and  the  enormous  aggregate 
is  surely  a  literal  f  ulfilment  of  this  sign  of  the  end. 

And  knowledge  shall  be  increased. 

The  unprecedented  educational  facilities  are  a  remark- 
able feature  of  our  time.  We  have  public  schools  for  our 
youth,  colleges  and  universities  for  higher  education,  and 
denominational  schools  for  religious  education. 

The  public  press,  with  its  ceaseless  streams  of  news  and 
information,  covers  the  earth  with  its  ever  increasing  cir- 
culation, like  falling  leaves  from  some  mighty  tree  of 
knowledge.  And,  of  the  making  of  many  books,  there  is 
truly  no  end. 

The  means  of  communication  by  the  mail,  telegraph  and 
telephone  have  been  multiplied  in  geometrical  progression. 

By  the  Universal  Postal  Union,  printed  matter  is  carried 
as  cheaply  to  Iceland  or  China  as  to  the  next  street  in 
Chicago. 

But  perhaps  the  prediction  of  our  text  refers  more  espe- 
cially to  the  increase  of  Bible  study,  and  here  again  we 
have  a  wonderful  fulfilment.  Since  the  year  1804  over 
230,000,000  of  Bibles,  Testaments,  and  portions  have 
been  distributed  by  the  Bible  Societies  alone,  and  millions 
more  by  private  publication  agencies.  The  Bible  has  been 
translated  into  over  287  languages,  and  parts  into  340. 
Over  nine-tenths  of  the  race  have  the  Bible  to  read  in 
their  own  language. 

Religious  papers  and  periodicals  are  issued  by  the  mil- 
lion. The  great  system  of  universal  Sunday-school  lessons, 
the  Bible  Institutes,  the  Chautauqua  Summer  Schools  and 
Bible  Conferences  have  developed  a  world-wide  study  of 
the  Word  of  God.  •, 

With  this  there  has  come  a  wide-spread  study  of  the 
Prophetic  Word,  especially  concerning  Israel  and  our 


230  JESUS  IS  COMING. 

Lord's  return.  While  the  skeptic  and  destructive  critic 
are  studying  about  the  Word,  trying  to  undermine  and 
tear  it  down,  the  reverent  students  by  the  thousand  are 
looking  into  the  sure  Word  of  Prophecy  as  to  a  light  that 
shineth  in  a  dark  place. 

n.    Perilous  Times. 

"This  know  also  that  in  the  last  days  perilous  times 
shall  come."  2  Tim.  3:1.  Perilous  times. 

a.  Physically :  Pestilence,  famine,  earthquakes,  cyclones, 
etc. 

Possibly  the  recently  vented  oil  and  gases  of  the  earth 
are  a  preparation  for  some  mighty  conflagration  to  be 
aided  by  newly  manifested  heat  and  electrical  forces  from 
the  sun.2 

6.    Politically  and  Socially. 

Under  this  head  we  need  only  refer  to  the  progress  of 
Nihilism,  Socialism,  Communism  and  Anarchy.  Could 
there  be  anything  worse  than  the  creed  of  the  latter,  viz. : 
The  first  lie  is  God  and  the  second  is  Law.  They  openly 
avow  that  their  mission  is  to  destroy  the  present  social 
structure,  and  they  prophesy  (perhaps  with  the  accuracy 
of  Caiphas),  that  something  better  will  come. 

c.     Distress  of  Nations. 

National  jealousies  have  caused  offensive  and  defensive 
preparations  on  a  scale  of  such  magnitude  as  to  literally 
grind  out  the  life  of  the  people  with  oppressive  taxation. 
—  All  Europe  is  practically  a  soldiers'  camp,  with  23,000,- 
000  of  drilled  men  ready  to  fly  at  each  other  in  a  universal 
war,  with  weapons  so  ingenious  and  deadly  as  to  put  all 
the  past  record  beneath  the  shadow  of  comparison. 

Governments  vie  with  each  other  in  the  suicidal  policy 
of  adding  corps  to  corps  and  ships  to  ships,  piling  up 
their  national  debts  in  the  fact  of  absolute  bankruptcy. 

(2)  2  Thes.  1 :8.  In  flaming  that  now  are,  and  the  earth,  by 

fire  taking  vengeance  on  them  the  same  word  have  been  stored 

thatlknow  not  God.  and  that  obey  up  for  fire,  being  reserved 

not  the  gospel  of  our  Lord  against  the  day  of  judgment  and 

Jesus  Christ:  destruction  of  ungodly  men. 

2  Pet  3 :7.     But  the  heavens 


BIONS    OF   HIS    COMING.  231 

It  is  appalling  to  contemplate  the  woe  and  carnage  that 
would  follow  in  the  wake  of  these  forces,  if  once  let  loose. 
No  wonder  the  statesmen  strain  every  nerve  to  defer  that 
day  by  their  struggle  to  preserve  the  peace  of  Europe. 

In  the  very  midst  of  the  scene,  lawlessness  lifts  its  hydra- 
head.  Capital  cringes  before  the  coming  revenge  of  labor. 
Jas.  5.  Men's  hearts  fail  them  for  fear  of  the  things  that 
be  coming  on  the  earth.  And  well  they  may,  for  Satan 
will  combine  all  these  forces  in  his  mighty  culminating 
effort  to  stamp  out  the  name  of  God  from  the  earth.  He 
will  head  them  up  in  his  masterpiece,  the  atheistic  Anti- 
christ, who  will  deny  both  the  Father  and  the  Son. 

HE.    Spiritualism. 

"Now  the  Spirit  speaketh  expressly  that  in  the  latter 
times  some  shall  depart  from  the  faith,  giving  heed  to 
seducing  spirits  and  doctrines  of  devils."  1  Tim.  4:1. 

Modern  Spiritualism  is  by  no  means  mere  trickery. 
There  is  plenty  of  fraud  and  deception  that  requires  dark- 
ened rooms  and  suspicious  cabinets,  but  there  are  also  un- 
questionable mysteries  and  spirit  manifestations,  demons 
that  long  to  possess  the  bodies  of  men,  wicked  spirits 
which  love  darkness  rather  than  light. 

It  is  a  definite  sign  of  the  times. 

So  also  is  Christian  Science  a  doctrine  of  devils,  for,  like 
Theosophy,  it  denies  the  atonement  of  Christ,  and  asserts 
that  every  man  is  his  own  Savior. 

There  are  said  to  be  more  esoteric  Buddhists  in  and 
about  Boston  than  there  are  natives  in  Australia.  Chris- 
tian Science  has  swept  over  the  country  like  a  prairie 
fire,  and  Spiritualism  has  its  myriads  of  adherents.  This 
surprising  prevalence  of  these  three  Jflelusions  is,  like  a 
cloud  of  darkness,  a  sign  that  the  end' is  near. 

IV.    Apostacy. 

The  day  of  the  Lord  (the  revelation),  shall  not  come, 
"except  there  come  a  falling  away  first."  2  Thes.  2:3. 

The  Laodicean,  or  the  last  state  of  the  Church,  is  one  so 
sickening  that  the  Lord  says  He  will  spue  it  out  of  H> 


232  JESUS  IS  COMING. 

mouth.a  There  is  to  be  a  dearth  of  faith  especially  in 
regard  to  the  coming  of  the  Lord.  "Nevertheless,  when 
the  Son  of  Man  cometh  shall  He  find  the  faith  on  the 
earth?"  Luke  18:8. 

An  aged  minister  once  said  that  he  did  not  believe  the 
Lord  was  coming  for  60,000  years.  I  concluded  that  he 
could  not  be  watching  for  it. 

Post-Millennialists  say  very  little  about  the  coming  of 
the  Lord.  An  elderly  Methodist  clergyman  in  Florida, 
said  that  he  had  never  heard  only  five  sermons  on  the 
Lord's  coming,  and  he  preached  them  all  himself.  In  many 
large  audiences  where  an  expression  has  been  taken  it  is 
surprising  to  see  what  a  great  majority  have  never  heard 
a  single  sermon  on  this  Blessed  Hope,  which  finds  so  large 
a  place  in  the  Holy  Scriptures. 

There  is  a  notable  dearth  of  power  in  the  preaching  of 
the  Word  to-day!  Men  descant  on  how  to  reach  the 
masses  but  the  masses  go  on  unreached. 

Every  period  of  hard  times  and  business  depression 
heretofore,  has  been  followed  by  a  wonderful  revival.  But 
not  so  this  last  time.  Why  so  few  conversions  during  this 
last  era  of  hard  times?  There  is  evidently  one  answer. 
The  attacks  by  Higher  Critics  upon  the  inspiration  of  the 
Bible  have  found  so  many  adherents  in  the  ranks  of  the 
clergy  and  theological  professors  who  proclaim  their 
doubts  that  the  faith  of  the  masses  has  been  undermined 
and  the  great  truths  of  the  Bible  have  no  longer  that  firm 
hold  upon  their  consciences  which  has  heretofore  stimu- 
lated the  disciples  to  faithful  service,  and  brought  sinners 
to  repentance.  With  the  great  Greek  church  wedded  to 
politics,  the  Catholic  church  worshiping  Mary  in  the  place 
of  Christ  and  pronouncing  blessing  upon  those  who  idola- 
trously  kiss  the  toe  of  the  image  of  Agrippina  and  Nero,* 

*In  the  church  of  Saint  Augustino,  in  Rome,  is  a  marble 
statue  of  a  woman  and  child,  which,  it  is  generally  claimed 
represents  Agrippina  and  Nero.  This  is  denied  by  the 
Roman  Church,  but  it  appears  to  be  evidenced,  by  the  fact 

(3)  Rev.  3:16.  So  then  be-  neither  cold  nor  hot,  I  will  spew 
cause  thou  art  lukewarm,  and  thee  out  of  my  mouth. 


SIGNS  OF  HIS  COMING.  233 

and  the  Protestant  churches  so  largely  stiffened  with  for- 
malism and  honeycombed  with  infidelity,  we  see  the  apos- 
tacy  moving  forward  with  such  rapid  strides  that  we  again 
conclude  the  end  is  near. 

V.  World-wide  Evangelism. 

"This  gospel  of  the  kingdom  shall  be  preached  in  all  th« 
world  for  a  witness  to  all  nations,  then  shall  the  end  come." 
Mat.  24:14. 

We  ought  just  here  to  explain  that  while  the  Church  is 
the  present  agent  for  the  world's  evangelization  she  may 
be  caught  away  at  any  moment.  Then  the  tribulation 
saints — those  who  will  believe  by  the  very  fact  of  the 
Church  being  caught  away — may  become  the  agents,  for 
God  will  always  have  a  witness  in  the  earth.  Later  it  may 
be  converted  Israel.  Lastly  it  is  to  be  a  heavenly  mes- 
senger.4 

So  we  are  simply  to  work  while  the  day  lasts,  watching 
and  waiting  because  we  have  no  sign  nor  event  that  stands 
between  us  and  the  coming  of  the  Lord. 

But  let  us  see  what  has  been  accomplished. 

What  is  a  witness1? 

We  have  only  one  exemple  or  illustration  in  the  Word, 
and  that  is  Jonah's  three  days  preaching  in  the  streets  of 
Nineveh. 

Every  nation  in  the  world  to-day  has  a  testimony  com- 
paratively as  great,  with  the  exception  of  Tibet,  Nepaul 
and  Bhotan  and  the  Mohammedan  countries  of  Afghan- 

that  the  latter  is  crushing  a  bird  against  his  breast,  •how- 
ing  the  ferocious  cruelty  of  his  nature.  This  image  has 
been  consecrated  by  the  highest  authorities  of  the  Catholic 
Church  to  represent  the  virgin  Mary  and  the  child  Jesus. 
On  the  pedestal  underneath  is  this  inscription  in  Latin: 
"Our  Lord,  the  Pope  Pius  7th,  concedes  perpetually  100 
days  of  indulgence,  to  be  used  once  a  day,  to  all  those  who 
devoutly  kiss  the  foot  of  this  holy  image,  reciting  one  Ave 
Maria  for  the  needs  of  the  Holy  Church.  June  7,  1822." 

(4)    Rev.     14:6.      And    I   saw  that  dwell   on    the    earth,    and    to 

another    angel     fly    in   the    midst  every    nation,    and    kindred,     and 

of    heaven     having    the    everlast-  tongue,  and    people. 
ing    gospel    to  preach    unto   them 


234  JE8DS  18  COMING. 

istan  and  the  Soudan,  and  into  the  former  the  Bible  has  al- 
ready gone  in  great  numbers,  and  missionaries  stand  at  the 
doors  waiting  the  privilege  of  entering  in. 

Is  it  not  impressively  significant  that  the  missionaries 
sent  forth  during  this  century  have  seemingly  without -any 
human  supervision,  been  impelled  to  go  to  every  land, 
island,  nation  and  tribe  of  the  earth. 

"Oh,  Criurch  of  Christ,  behold  at  last 

The  promised  sign  appear; 
The  gospel  preached  in  all  the  world. 

And  lo!   the  King  draws  near." 

VI.    Rich  Men. 

"Go  to  now,  ye  rich  men,  weep  and  howl  for  your 
miseries  that  shall  come  upon  you.  .  .  .  Ye  have 
heaped  treasures  together  for  (in)  the  last  days."  James 
5:1,  8. 

The  accumulation  of  riches,  in  the  hands  of  a  few  men,  is 
specially  characteristic  of  the  present  tunes. 

It  is  needless  to  mention  the  financial  kings  who,  through 
trusts  and  various  manipulations,  continue  to  add  to  their 
enormous  estates. 

If  Adam  had  lived  to  the  present  time  and  accumulated 
$10,000  additional  wealth  each  year  of  his  life,  this  vast 
aggregate  would  not  equal  several  individual  fortunes 
which  have  been  amassed  in  recent  years. 

What  limit  these  colossal  estates  shall  attain  by  joining 
"house  to  house"  and  "field  to  field,"  none  can  tell.  But  we 
know  that  "woe"  has  been  uttered  concerning  it,5  and  that 
it  is  distinctively  a  sign  of  the  last  days. 

VTL    Israel. 
God's  sun-dial. 

If  we  want  to  know  our  place  in  chronology,  our  posi- 
tion in  the  march  of  events,  look  at  Israel. 

God  says  of  Israel:     "I  will  make  a  full  end  of  all  the 

(5)    Isa.  5  :8.     Woe  unto  them  9.  In  mine  ears  said  the  Lord 

that  join  house  to  house,  that  lay  of  hosts,  Of  a  truth  many  houses 

field   to   field,   till     there    be    no  shaii  be  desolate,  even  great  and 

place,   that   they   may   be   placed  falrj  without  inhabitant, 
alone  in  the  midst  of  the  earth ! 


SIGNS    OF  HIS    COMING.  235 

nations  whither  I  have  scattered  thee,  but  I  will  not  make 
a  fuU  end  of  thee."    Jer,  30 :11,  R.  V. 

Like  Tennyson's  brook  they  can  sing,  nations  come  and 
nations  go,  but  I  go  on  forever.  They  are  the  generation 
which  pass  not  away. 

Israel  shall  be  restored  to  Palestine  and  no  more  be 
pulled  up  out  of  their  land.6 

Hundreds  of  prophecies  affirm  this  dispensational  truth. 
Like  the  red  thread  in  the  British  rigging,  it  runs  through 
the  whole  Bible.  Prophecies  to  the  people  like  Ezek.  37, 
and  prophecies  to  the  land  like  Ezek.  36. 

The  title  deed  to  Palestine  is  recorded,  not  in  the  Mo- 
hammedan Serai  of  Jerusalem  nor-  the  Serglio  of  Constan- 
tinople, but  in  hundreds  of  millions  of  Bibles  now  extant 
in  more  than  three  hundred  languages  of  the  earth. 

The  restoration  was  summed  up  at  the  first  council  of 
the  apostles  in  Jerusalem,  as  their  conclusion  based  upon 
the  words  of  the  prophets.7 

As  the  fig-tree  which  Jesus  found  bearing  nothing  but 
leaves,  Israel  hath  been  set  aside  for  a  whole  (aioh)  dis- 
pensation.8 

(6)  Amos   9:15.      And   I   will      ruins  thereof,  and  I  will  set  it 
plant  them  upon  their  land,  and       uy : 

they  shall  no  more  be  pulled  up          17.  That   the   residue   of   men 

out   of  their  land  which   I  have  might   seek   after  the   Lord,    and1 

given   them,    saith  the   Lord  thy  all  the  Gentiles,  upon  whom  my 

God.  name   Is   called,    saith   the   Lord, 

(7)  Acts    15:13.       And    after  wno  doeth  a11  these  things, 
they  had  held  their  peace,  James  18-  Known    unto    God    are    all 
answered,       saying,       Men     and  his'  works  from  tne  beginning  of 
brethren,    hearken   unto  me:  the, Owo'1,d- , 

14.  Simeon  hath  declared  how  f^^^Vr.ff  having  letve? 
God    at    the    first    ^d    visit    the  tf^  g^ttSfS* 
Gentiles,   to   take   out  of  them  a  thereon:   and  when  he 
people  for  his  name.  came  t<)  lt>  he  fmmd  nothing  but 

15.  And     to     this     agree    the  leaves ;  for  the  time  of  figs  was 
words  of  the  prophets ;   as  It  is  not  y^t 

written,  14.  And    Jesus    answered    and 

16.  After    this    I    will    return,  said   unto    it,    No   man   eat   fruit 
and  will   build   again   the   taber-  of    thee    hereafter    for    ever    (an 
nacle   of  David,   which   is   fallen  aion).      And   his   disciples   heard 
down ;  and  I  will  build  again  the  it. 


236  JESUS  IS  COMING. 

Jerusalem  was  to  be  trodden  down  until  the  times  of  the 
Gentiles  be  fulfilled.9 

But  note  carefully  that  a  little  later  Jesus  said,  "Now 
learn  a  parable  of  the  fig-tree  (and  all  the  trees) :  when 
her  branch  is  yet  tender,  and  putteth  forth  leaves,  ye  know 
that  summer  is  near.  So  likewise,  ye,  in  like  manner, 
when  ye  shall  see  these  things  come  to  pass,  know  that  it 
is  nigh,  even  at  the  doors."  Mark  13 :28 ;  Luke  21-29. 

In  Ezek.  31  the  trees  are  used  as  symbols  of  the  nations. 

"The  fig-tree  was  THE  JEWISH  PEOPLE  full  of  the  leaves 
of  an  useless  profession,  but  without  fruit." — Dean  Al- 
ford. 

Now  if  Israel  is  beginning  to  show  signs  of  national  life 
and  is  actually  returning  to  Palestine,  then  surely  the  end 
of  this  dispensation  "is  nigh,  even  at  the  doors." 

This  brings  us  to  speak  of 

Zionism, 

the  present  movement  of  the  Jews  to  return  to  the  land  of 
their  fathers. 

Zionism  is  a  modern  term  expressing  the  national  hopes 
and  sentiments  of  the  Jews. 

These  sentiments,  however,  are  based  upon  widely  differ- 
ent views,  as  held  by  the  most  extreme  sections  of  the 
parties  into  which  the  Jews  are  divided. 

As  is  well  known  the  Jews  have,  in  the  past  fifty  years, 
become  divided  into  three  great  sections,  viz.:  the  ortho- 
dox, the  status  quo,  and  the  reformed. 

The  orthodox  hold  to  the  Old  Testament  Scriptures,  as 
interpreted  by  the  Talmud,  as  the  literal  Word  of  God,  and 
also  to  the  hopes  and  heritage  of  their  ancestors  founded 
thereon.  They  believe  in  the  oft  repeated  utterances  of  the 
prophets,  that  some  day  they  shall  return  to  Palestine  and 
become  permanently  settled  as  a  holy  and  happy  nation, 
under  the  sovereignty  of  their  coming  Messiah. 

(9)  Lu.  21:24.      And   they  shall   .  shall    be      trodden    down    of    the 

fall    by   the    edge    of    the    sword,  Gentiles,   until    the    timea    of    the 

and    shall    be    led     away    captive  Gentiles  be  fulfilled, 
into    all    nations:     and    Jerusalem 


8IQNS    OF  HIS    COMING.  237 

These  hopes  are  the  very  core  of  their  intensely  religious 
life,  and  are  embedded  in  the  most  solemn  devotions  of 
their  prayer-book. 

Every  morning,  throughout  every  nation  and  clime, 
whither  they  are  scattered  over  this  whole  world,  the  or- 
thodox Jew  lifts  up  his  prayer: 

"Save  us,  0  God  of  our  salvation,  and  gather  us  together 
and  deliver  us  from  the  nations." 

"May  it  be  acceptable  unto  thee,  Eternal;  our  God  and 
the  God  of  our  Fathers,  that  the  sanctuary  may  be  rebuilt 
speedily  in  our  days  and  our  portion  assigned  us  in  thy 
law.  There  will  we  serve  thee  in  reverence  as  of  old,  in 
days  of  yore." 

In  that  solemn  service  of  the  Passover  they  cry  out, 

"At  present  we  celebrate  it  here,  but  the  next  year  we 
hope  to  celebrate  it  in  the  land  of  Israel,"  and  again, 

"0  build  Jerusalem  the  holy  city  speedily  in  our  days. 
Blessed  art  Thou,  0  Lord !" 

With  such  faithful  and  earnest  prayers  have  these  ortho- 
dox Jews  kept  alive  the  fires  of  devotion  and  the  glorious 
hopes  of  restoration,  while  being  driven  up  and  down  the 
earth  with  the  rods  of  enmity,  ostracism  and  banishment. 
But  for  over  seventeen  centuries,  while  they  have  thus  fer- 
vently prayed,  they  have  made  no  effort  to  return  to  Pales- 
tine, believing  that  they  should  wait  until  God  Himself, 
brought  about  their  restoration  by  supernatural  means. 

About  200  years  ago  the  persecutions  began  to  abate, 
and  in  the  eighteenth  century  they  were  gradually  eman- 
cipated from  these  various  disabilities.  With  this  coming 
of  liberty,  there  was  a  noise  and  a  shaking  and  the  dry 
bones  of  Ezek.  37  began  to  come  together.10 

(10)   Ezek.    37:1.      The   hand  of    man,    can   these    bones    live? 

of   the   Lord   was   upon   me,  and  And    I    answered,    O    Lord    GOD, 

carried  me  out  in  the  Spirit  of  thou  knowest. 

the  LORD,   and   set  me   down   in  4.  Again     he    said    unto    me, 

the   midst   of    the   valley   which  Prophesy  upon  these  bones,  and 

was  full   of  bones,  say  unto  them,  O  ye  dry  bones, 

2.  And  caused  me  to  pass  by  hear  the  word  of  the  LORD. 
them  round  about :  and,   behold,  •    5.  Thus    saith    the    Lord    GOD 
there   were  very    many    in    the  unto  these  bones,  Behold,  I  will 
op*n  valley ;   and,  lo,  they  were  cause  breath  to  enter   into   you, 
»»*y  dry.  and  ye  shall  live  : 

3.  And  be  sgid  unto  ma.   Sou  6-  And  I  will  lay  sinews  upon 


238  JESUS  IS  COMING. 

The  Universelle  Israelite  Alliance  was  organized  in  Paris 
in'  1860,  and  later  the  Anglo- Jewish  Association  in  Eng- 
land. Through  these  powerful  organizations  the  Jews  can 
make  themselves  felt  throughout  the  world.  And  now, 
within  a  few  years,  there  have  been  organized  Chovevi 
(lovers  of)  Zion  and  Shova  (colonizers  of)  Zion  societies, 
mostly  among  the  orthodox  Jews  of  Russia,  Roumania, 
Germany,  and  even  in  England  and  the  United  States.  This 
is  really  the  first  practical  effort  they  have  made  to  regain 
their  home  in  Palestine. 

In  a  few  words,  followers  of  the  status  quo  are  striving 
to  reconcile  the  genius  of  Judaism  with  the  requirements 
of  modern  times,  and  in  Western  Europe  are  in  a  great 
majority. 

The  Reformed  Jews  or  Neologists  have  rapidly  thrown 
away  their  faith  in  the  inspiration  of  the  Scriptures.  They 
have  flung  to  the  wind  all  national  and  Messianic  hopes. 
Their  Rabbis  preach  rapturously  about  the  mission  of 
Judaism,  while  joining  with  the  most  radical  higher  critics 
in  the  destruction  of  its  very  basis,  the  inspiration  of  the 
Word  of  God.  Some  have  gone  clear  over  into  agnosti- 
cism. 

Strange  to  say,  from  these  agnostics  now  comes  the 
other  wing  of  the  Zionist  party.  And  not  only  have  they 
joined  this  party,  but  they  furnished  the  loaders,  viz.: 
Dr.  Max  Nordau  of  Paris,  and  Dr.  Theodore  Herzl  of 
Vienna. 

The  orthodox  Jews  who  have  enlisted  under  the  Zionist 
banner,  are  animated  by  the  most  devout  religious  mo- 
tives. But  the  agnostics  aver  that  this  is  not  a  religious 
movement  at  all.  It  is  purely  economic  and  nationalistic. 
Dr.  Herzl,  its  founder  and  principal  leader,  espoused  it  as 
a  dernier  resort,  to  escape  the  persecutions  of  anti-semitism, 
which  has  taken  such  a  firm  hold  of  the  masses  of  the  Aus- 

you,  and  will  bring  up  flesh  upon  commanded :  and  as  I  prophesied, 

you,    and    cover    you    with    skin,  there  was  a  noise,   and  behold  a 

and   put  breath   in   you,    and   ye  shaking  and  the  bones  came  to- 

shall    live ;    and    ye    shall   know  gether,  bone  to  his  bone, 

that  I  am  the  LORD.  See  also  verses  8  to  14. 
7.  So  I   prophesied   as    I   was 


SIGNS    OF   HIS    COMING.  239 

fcrian  people.  He  conceived  the  idea  that  if  the  Jews 
could  regain  Palestine  and  establish  a  government,  even 
under  the  suzerainty  of  the  Sultan,  it  would  give  them  a 
national  standing  which  would  expunge  anti-semitism  from 
the  other  nations  of  the  world,  and  make  it  possible  for  all 
Jews  to  live  comfortably  in  any  nation  they  may  desire/ 

Not  all  the  orthodox  Jews  have 'joined  this  movement. 
Indeed,  the  leaders  of  the  Chovevi  Zion  Societies  hold 
aloof. 

The  call,  issued  by  Dr.  Herzl,  for  the  Zionist  Congress, 
held  in  Basle,  Switzerland  in  1897  met  with  severe  oppo- 
sition from  the  German  Rabbis  and  also  a  large  portion  of 
the  Jewish  press,  as  well  as  the  mass  of  rich  reformed 
Jews.  Nevertheless,  over  200  delegates,  from  all  over 
Europe  and  the  Orient  and  some  from  the  United  States, 
met  and  carried  through  the  program  of  the  congress  with 
tremendous  enthusiasm. 

Memorials,  approving  the  object  of  the  congress,  came 
in  from  all  sections,  signed  by  tens  of  thousands  of  Jews. 

The  congress  elected  a  central  committee  and  authorized 
the  raising  of  $50,000,000  capital. 

It  has  certainly  marked  a  wonderful  innovation  in  the 
attitude  of  the  Jews  and  a  closer  gathering  of  the  dry 
bones  of  Ezekiel. 

And  now,  after  ten  years  of  wonderful  growth  and 
progress  it  remains  to  be  seen  what  the  providential  open- 
ings in  the  Ottoman  Empire  may  be  that  shall  give  op- 
portunity to  realize  its  object. 

Zionism  is  now  the  subject  of  the  most  acrimonious  de- 
bate among  the  Jews.  Many  of  the  orthodox  criticise  it  as 
an  attempt  to  seize  the  prerogatives  of  their  God. 

While  others  say  that  God  will  not  work  miracles  to 
accomplish  that  which  they  can  do  themselves. 

Most  of  the  reformed  Jews,  now  that  they  can  no  longer 
ridicule  the  movement,  decry  it,  as  an  egregious  blunder 
that  will  increase  instead  of  diminishing  anti-semitism. 

They  have  no  desire  to  return  to  Palestine.  They  are 
like  the  man  in  Kansas,  who,  in  a  revival  meeting  said  he 
did  not  want  to  go  to  heaven,  nor  did  he  wish  to  go  to 


240  JESUS  IS  COMING. 

hell  but  he  said  he  wanted  to  stay  right  there  in  Kansas. 

Just  so  these  reformed  Jews  are  content  to  renounce 
all  the  prophesied  glory  of  a  Messianic  kingdom  in  the 
land  of  their-  ancestors,  preferring  the  palatial  homes  and 
gathered  riches  which  they  have  acquired  in  Western 
Europe  and  the  United  States.  They  coolly  advise  their 
persecuted  brethren,  in  Russia,  Roumania,  Persia  and 
North  Africa,  to  patiently  endure  their  grievous  persecu- 
tions until  anti-semitism  shall  die  out. 

But  these  brethren  retort  that  their  prudent  advisers 
would  think  very  differently  if  they  lived  in  Morocco  or 
Russia,  and  that  even  in  Western  Europe  anti-semitism 
instead  of  dying  out,  is  rather  on  the  increase. 

In  the  midst  of  these  disputes,  the  Zionists  have  seized 
the  reins  and  eschewing  the  help  of  Abraham's  God  they 
have  accepted  agnostics  as  leaders  and  are  plunging  madly 
into  this  scheme  for  "the  erection  of  a  Godless  state. 

X— 

But  the  Bible  student  will  surely  say,  this  godless  nation- 
al gathering  of  Israel  is  not  the  fulfilment  of  the  glorious 
y     divine  restoration,  so  glowingly  described  by  the  prophets. 
No,  indeed!  Let  it  be  carefully  noted  that  while  God  has 
repeatedly  promised  to  gather  Israel,  with  such  a  magnifi- 
cent display  of  His  miraculous  power,   that  it  shall  no 
more  be  said,  "The  Lord  liveth  that  brought  up  the  children 
of  Israel  out  of  the  land  of  Egypt;  but  the  Lord  liveth, 
that  brought  up  the  children  of  Israel  from  the  land  of  the 
north  and  from  all  the  lands  whither  he  had  driven  them," 
Jer.  16:14;  yet  has  He  also  said,  "Gather  yourselves  to- 
gether, yea,  gather  together,  0  nation  that  hath  no  long- 
Xing,  before  the  decree  bring  forth,  before  the  day  pass  as 
I     the  chaff,  before  the  fierce  anger  of  the  Lord  come  upon 
\     you."    Zeph.  2:1,  2.  Could  this  prophecy  be  more  literally 
\  fulfilled  than  by  this  present  Zionist  movement? 

One  of  the  speakers  at  the  first  congress  said  of  the 
Sultan,  "If  His  majesty  will  now  receive  us,  we  will  ac- 
cept Him  as  our  Messiah." 

God  says,  "Ye  have  sold  yourselves  for  nought  and  ye 
shall  be  redeemed  without  money."  Isa.  52 :3. 

But  Dr.  Herzl  is  reported  to  have  said,  "We  must  buy 


8ION8    OF  HIS    COMING.  241 

our  way  back  to  Palestine,  salvation  is  to  be  by  money »n 

What  a  sign  is  this  that  the  end  of  this  dispensation  is 
near. 

If  it  stood  alone  we  might  well  give  heed  to  it.  But 
when  we  find  it  supported  by  all  these  other  signs,  set 
forth  in  the  Word,  how  can  we  refuse  to  believe  it? 

Shall  we  Christians  condemn  the  Jews  for  not  accept- 
ing the  cumulative  evidence  that  Jesus  is  the  Messiah;  and 
ourselves  refuse  this  other  cumulative  evidence  that  His 
second  coming  is  near? 

It  is  significant  that  this  first  Zionist  congress  assembled 
just  1,260  years  after  the  capture  of  Jerusalem  by  the  Mo- 
hammedans in  A.  D.  637.  Dan.  12:7. 

It  is  probable  that  "the  times  of  the  Gentiles"  are  near- 
ing  their  end,  and  that  the  nations  are  soon  to  plunge  into 
the  mighty  whirl  of  events  connected  with  Israel's  god- 
less gathering,  "Jacob's  trouble"  (Jer.  30:6,  7),  that  aw- 
ful time  of  tribulation,  like  which  there  has  been  none  in 
the  past,,  nor  shall  be  in  the  future.  Mat.  24 :21. 

But  we,  brethren,  are  not  of  the  night.  We  are  to 
watch  and  pray  always  that  we  may  escape  all  these 
things  that  shall  come  to  pass  and  stand  before  the  Son  of 
Man.  Lu.  21:36. 

Oh!  glorious  Hope.  No  wonder  the  Spirit  and  the 
Bride  say  come.  No  wonder  the  Bridegroom  saith,  "Sure- 
ly I  come  quickly,"  and  shall  not  we  all  join  with  the 
enraptured  apostle, 

"Even  so  come,  Lord  Jesus"? 


"I  must  work  the  works  of  Him  that  sent  me  while  it 
is  day:  the  night  cometh  when  no  man  can  work." — John 
9:4. 

All  the  World-Wide  Mission  Field  demands  increased 
consecration  of  ourselves,  our  time,  and  our  substance. 

0  fellow  servants,  let  us  improve  the  wonderful  oppor- 
tunities of  our  day  to  make  investments  for  eternity. 


Jesus  is  Coming  Again 

"WATCH 

therefore;   for  ye  know  not  what  hour  your  Lord  doth 

come." 
Matthew  24:42. 

"WATCH 

therefore;  for  ye  know  neither  the  day  nor  the  hour." 
Matthew  25:13. 

"Take  Ye  Heed, 
WATCH 

and  pray;  for  ye  know  not  when  the  time  is." 

"WATCH 

ye  therefore;   for  ye  know  not  when  the  Master  of  the 

house  cometh,  at  even,  or  at  midnight,  or  at  the 

cock  crowing,  or  in  the  morning,  lest, 

coming  suddenly,  He 
find  you  sleeping.     And  what  I  say  unto  you  I  say  unto 

ALL,  WATCH." 

Mark  13:33-37. 

"Blessed  is  he  that  WATCHETH,  and  tfeepeth  his 
garments."     Bev.  16:15. 

"If  therefore  thou  shalt  not 

WATCH 
I  will  come  on  thee  as  a  thief." 

"BEHOLD,  I  COME  QUICKLY." 

Rev.  3:3,  11. 

(242) 


"YE  SHALL  BE  WITNESSES." 

Reader,  what  shall  be  our  occupation,  as  disciples  of  the 
Lord  Jesus,  while  we  watch  and  wait  for  His  return?  It 
is  not  enough  that  we  have  a  personal  experience  of  re- 
pentance, faith,  forgiveness,  adoption  and  sanctification ; 
it  is  not  enough  that  we  study  the  Word  to  search  out  the 
deep  things  of  Providence  and  prophecy.  We  must  join 
heart  and  hand  in  the  great  practical  work  of 

EVANGELIZING  THE  WORLD. 

For  this  is  our  Lord's  command:  "Go  ye  into  all  the 
world,  and  preach  the  Gospel  to  every  creature"  (Mat. 
28:19);  and  He  has  said  "This  Gospel  of  the  Kingdom 
shall  be  preached  in  all  the  world,  for  a  witness  to  all  na- 
tions, and  then  shall  the  end  come."  (Mat.  24:14.)  While 
the  Church  remains  on  earth  (see  page  86)  she  is  certain- 
ly the  agent  to  accomplish  this  purpose,  because  Jesus  said : 
"Ye  shall  be  witnesses  unto  me  .  .  .  unto  the  utter- 
most part  of  the  earth."  (Acts  1:8;  Luke  24:47-48.) 

Let  us  engage,  .with  all  our  might,  in  this  world-wide  mis- 
sion work.  Let  us  give  of  our  means,  our  prayers  and 
our  words  of  encouragement  to  those  who  go  to  preach 
in  the  by-ways  and  hedges  and  in  distant  lands  (Rom. 
10:15),  and,  if  possible,  let  us  go  ourselves,  thereby  in- 
suring ourselves  of  His  fellowship  Who  said,  "and  lo,  I 
am  with  you  alway." 

Thus  shall  we  best  please  the  Master. 

Thus  shall  we  hasten  the  day  of  God.  (2  Pet.  3 :12  mar- 
gin Mat.  24:14.) 

The  progress  already  made  inspires  us  to  greater  effort. 
The  world  is  belted  with  centers  of  evangelization.  From 
Greenland  to  Patagonia,  from  Norway  to  Good  Hope, 
from  Siberia  to  Tasmania,  and  throughout  the  Islands  of 
the  sea,  multitudes  of  Gospel  messengers  are  proclaiming 
the  Word  of  Life.  Only  a  few  strongholds  of  Satan  are  yet 
without  any  witness,  and  of  these  Nepaul  and  Tibet  are 
opening  their  doors  to  waiting  missionaries,  while  Central 
Africa  unbars  her  millennial  fastness  to  advancing  heroes 

(243) 


244  JESUS  IS  COMING. 

from  every  quarter.  Read  the  missionary  periodicals,  es- 
pecially those  giving  general  news,  and  your  soul  will  re- 
joice in  the  hope  that  even  now  the  witness  is  almost  com- 
plete. Then  arouse  ye,  comrades,  and  let  us  obey  our 
marching  orders,  until  we  hear  the  welcome  "well  done" 
when  the  "ambassadors"  are  called  home. 


MISSIONARY  PERIODICALS. 

Nearly  every  missionary  society  has  its  own  periodical, 
and  we  earnestly  exhort  every  reader  to  subscribe  for  some 
one  or  more.    A  partial  list  is  here  given : 
Alliance  Weekly,  The,  690  Eighth  Ave.,  New  York. 
Assembly  Herald,  The  (Presby.),  Philadelphia,  Pa. 
American  Friend,  The  (Friends),  Richmond,  Ind. 
American  Missionary,  The  (Con'l),  287  Fourth  Ave.,  N.  Y. 
Bible  Society  Record,  The  (Amer.  Bible  Soc.),  New  York. 
China's  Millions  (C.  I.  M.),  507  Church  St.,  Toronto,  Ont. 
Christian  Missionary,  The  (Christian),  Dayton,  0. 
Christian  Worker,  The  (Ind.),  Toronto,  Ont. 
Christian  Workers'  Magazine,  The  (M.  B.  I.),  Chicago. 
Darkness  and  Light,  113  Fulton  St.,  New  York. 
Echoes  of  Service,  692  Eighth  Ave.,  New  York. 
Evangelical  Christian  and  Witness,  The,  Toronto,  Ont. 
Evangelical  Visitor,  The  (Brethren),  Washingtonboro,  Pa. 
Free  Methodist,  The,  1132  Washington  Blvd.,   Chicago. 
Fliegende  Mission-Blatter  (Ger.  Ev.  Assn.),  Buffalo,  N.  Y. 
Gospel  Message  (Ind.),  Euclid  &  Seventh,  Kansas  City,  Mo. 
Glory  of  Israel   (Jewish),  333  42d  St.,  Pittsburgh,  Pa. 
Gospel  Herald,  The  (Mennonite),  Freeport,  111. 
God's  Revivalist  and  Missionary  Advocate,  Cincinnati,  0. 
Home  and  Foreign  Fields  (So.  Bapt.),  Nashville,  Tenn. 
Home  Mission  Monthly  (Presby.),  156  Fifth  Ave.,  N.  Y. 
Inland  Africa,  The,  2244  N.  29th  St.,  Philadelphia,  Pa. 
Jewish  Era,  The,  1425  Solon  PI.,  Chicago. 
Jewish  Missionary  Herald,  The,  Bedford  Row,  London,  Eng. 
Kingdom  Tidings  (Gen.),  Germantown,  Philadelphia,  Pa. 
Light  Bearer,  The,  32  W.  Stafford  St.,  Germantown,  Pa, 


MISSIONABY  PERIODICALS.  245 

Lutheran  Church  Work  (Ev.  Luth.),  Baltimore,  Md. 
Mission  Field  (Dutch  Reformed),  25  E.  22d  St.,  New  York. 
Mission  Herald,  The,  624  S.  18th  St.,  Philadelphia,  Pa. 
Missionaeren  (Swedish),  W.  Wrightwood  Ave.,  Chicago. 
Missions  (Baptist),  Ford  Bldg.,  Boston,  Mass. 
Missionary  Advance,  The,  904  U.  B.  Bldg.,  Dayton,  0. 
Missionary  Herald,  The,  14  Beacon  St.,  Boston,  Mass. 
Missionary  Intelligencer,  The  (Disciples),  Cincinnati,  0. 
Missionary  Link,  The  (U.  Missionary  Soc.),  New  York. 
Missionary  Messenger,  The  (Ev.  Asso.),  Cleveland,  0. 
Missionary  Outlook,  The  (Meth.),  Toronto,  Ont. 
Missionary  Reporter,  The,  150  Fifth  Ave.,  New  York. 
Missionary  Review  of  the  World,  The,  New  York. 
Missionary  Survey,  The  (Presby.),  Atlanta,  Ga. 
Missionary  Tidings,  The  (Disciples),  Indianapolis,  Ind. 
Missionary  Tidings,  The  (U.  Ev.),  Lebanon,  Pa. 
Missionary  Visitor,  The  (Ch.  of  Brethren),  Elgin,  111. 
Missionary  Voice,  The  (Meth.  So.),  Nashville,  Tenn. 
Neglected  Continent,  The,  135  Isabella  St.,  Toronto,  Ont. 
North  Africa  (N.  A.  M.),  18  John  St.,  London,  Eng. 
Olive  Trees  (Ref.  Presby),  4031  Locust  St.,  Philadelphia. 
Our  Missions,  15  Devonshire  St.,  E.  C.,  London,  Eng. 
Other  Sheep   (Nazarene),  2109  Troost  Ave.,  Kansas  City. 
Outlook  of  Missions,  The  (Ger.  Ref.),  Philadelphia,  Pa. 
Over  Land  and  Sea  (Presby.),  156  Fifth  Ave.,  New  York. 
Prayer  &  Work  for  Israel,  2654  Marion  Ave.,  New  York. 
Presby.  Record,  The  (Presby.),  Toronto,  Ont. 
Record  of  Christian  Work,  East  Northfield,  Mass. 
Regions  Beyond,  The  (R.  B.  M.  U.),  London,  Eng. 
South  African  Pioneer,  The  (S.  A.  G.  M.),  Brooklyn,  N.  Y. 
South  America,  Paternoster  Row,  London,  Eng. 
South  American  Missionary  Magazine,  The,  London,  Eng. 
Spirit  of  Missions,  The,  281  Fourth  Ave.,  New  York. 
Voice  of  Missions  (African  M.  E.),  Bible  House,  New  York. 
Wesleyan  Methodist,  The,  Sheridan,  Ind. 
Woman's  Home  Missions,  150  Fifth  Ave.,  New  York. 
Woman's  Missionary  Record  (Meth.  Prot.),  Baltimore,  Md. 
Woman's  Work  (Presby.),  156  Fifth  Ave.,  New  York. 
World  Outlook,  The,  150  Fifth  Ave.,  New  York. 


JESUS  IS  COMING 

By  W.  E.  B. 

The  following1  testimonials  are  given  with  special  refer* 
ence  to  the  main  teachings  of  this  book,  always  allowing 
for  difference  in  minor  details,  regarding  so  vast  a  subject. 

TESTIMONIALS 

"I  regard  the  little  book  as  the  best  brief  compendium  I 
"have  seen  on  the  Lord's  Coming,  and  I  wish  for  it  a  large 
circulation."  A.  T.  PIERSON, 

Editor  Missionary  Review  of  the  World. 

"The  late  Bishop  Stephen  M.  Merrill  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church,  speaking  of  the  value  of  a  belief  in  the 
pre-millennial  Coming  of  Christ,  once  said:  'It  kindles  the 
fires  of  devotion  and  lifts  the  soul  into  an  atmosphere  of 
warmth  and  loyalty  to  Christ  and  contempt  for  the  world.' 

"In  my  own  Christian  life  and  ministry  I  have  found  this 
to  be  exactly  true;  and,  because  of  it  I  am  glad  to  know 
that  there  are  to  be  issued  other  editions  of  'Jesus  is  Com- 
ing,' which  has  had  so  wide  a  circulation  and  performed  so 
blessed  and  useful  a  ministry-  I  hope  it  will  reach  the  ends 
of  the  earth  for  the  great  good  I  know  it  will  do." 

L.  W.  MtrNHALL  (Evangelist). 
Germantown,  Phila,,  Pa. 

Church  of  the  Atonement, 
Germantown,  Philadelphia,  Pa. 

"I  do  not  know  of  any  text  book  on  the  coming  of  Christ 
so  clear  and  comprehensive  as  'Jesus  is  Coming'  by  W.  B. 
B.  For  years  I  have  commended  it  to  any  desirous  of  look- 
ing into  this  great  and  all  important  topic,  and  I  am  con- 
tinually speaking  of  it  at  my  Bible  classes." 

REV.  D.  M.  STEARNS. 

The  Moody  Bible  Institute  of  Chicago, 

Office  of  the  Dean. 

"To  the  Christian  just  awakening  to  the  truth  of  Christ's 
second  coming  and  full  of  inquiries,  I  always  recommend 
the  book  'Jesus  is  Coming'  by  "W.  E.  B.,  and  yet  to  the 
student  who  has  given  years  of  thought  to  the  subject,  it  is 
still  a  handy  thesaurus."  JAMES  M.  GRAY. 

"I  believe  that  the  book  'Jesus  is  Coming'  is  the  very  best 
presentation  of  the  subject  of  the  second  coming  of  our  Lord, 
that  I  have  seen.  I  commend  it  most  heartily  to  all  students 
of  the  Word."  LEN  G.  BROUGHTON, 

Pastor  Baptist  Tabernacle 
Atlanta,  Ga. 


TESTIMONIALS.  247 


"In  all  the  range  of  prophetic  testimony  with  which  I  am 
familiar,  I  know  of  nothing  so  clear,  concise  and  convincing, 
as  'Jesus  is  Coming.'  My  prayer  is  that  it  may  help  others, 
as  it  has  helped  me,  to  some  appreciation  of  the  glorious 
theme  of  which  it  treats."  FORD  C.  OTTMAN, 

Pastor  First  Presbyterian  Church, 
Stamford,  Conn. 


"  'Jesus  is  Coming'  has  done  an  immense  good  in  arresting 
the  attention  of  Christians,  and  compelling  them  to  the 
etudy  of  Prophecy,  for  which  I  am  truly  thankful." 

REV.  W.  J.  ERDMAN, 

Germantown,  Pa. 


"By  the  reading  of  this  book,  'Jesus  is  Coming,'  I  know  of 
several  men  being  led  to  seek  Christ,  and  of  many  Christians 
being  drawn  to  a  higher  appreciation  of  the  Word  of  God, 
and  of  many  being  led  to  a  more  separated  life  from  the 
world,  and  of  many  becoming  more  earnest  for  the  salvation 
of  souls.  The  author  of  this  blessed  little  book  has  given  us 
the  Bible  for  every  statement.  May  the  Lord  speed  it  on  its 
mission  till  the  morn  breaks." 

MAJOB  JAMES  H.  CCCLE, 

Evangelist. 


"I  heartily  commend  tfie  book  -Jesus  is  Coming.'  For 
fifteen  years  I  have  recommended  it  to  friends  who  wished 
to  study  the  subject  of  our  Lord's  return.  I  pray  that  it 
may  be  a  blessing  to  all  Bible  students,  and  I  am  sure  it  will 
be  where  it  has  a  fair  unprejudiced  examination." 

P.  V.  JENNESS, 
Pastor  First  Presby.  Church. 
Kirkwood,  Mo. 


"I  rejoice  in  the  sending  forth  of  a  new  edition  of  'Jesus  is 
Coming.'  I  trust  that  this  fresh  issue  of  the  book  will  be 
greatly  blessed  to  multitudes  of  fouls.  I  am  sure  the  abundant 
testimony  from  Scripture,  which  is  adduced  in  support 
of  the  precious  doctrine  of  the  Lord's  speedy  coming,  will 
find  lodgment  in  many  hearts.  In  some  details  of  the 
doctrine,  I  would  differ  to  a  small  extent,  but  on  the  main 
fundamental  truth  I  am  in  hearty  agreement." 

PROF.  WM.  G.  MOOREHEAD, 
Theological  Seminary, 
Xenia,  Ohio. 


248  JESUS  IS  COMING. 

"The  book,  'Jesus  is  Coming,'  is,  in  my  judgment,  one  of 
the  most  useful  contributions  to  premillennial  literature  on 
either  side  of  the  Atlantic.  In  brief  space  there  is  overwhelm- 
ing Scripture  testimony,  clearly  and  forcibly  set  forth,  to  the 
personal,  pretribulation  and  premillennial  coming  of  our 
blessed  Lord.  I  rejoice  to  hear  of  the  lar^e  circulation 
already  secured  in  our  own  and  other  languages." 

JAMES  E.  MATHIESON, 

London,  England. 

"I  gladly  bear  testimony  to  the  great  value  of  the  con- 
cise and  comprehensive  little  volume  'Jesus  is  Coming.'  I 
consider  it  by  far  the  most  useful  and  serviceable  manual, 
on  this  great  theme,  that  has  been  published.  I  commend  it 
most  heartily  to  all  inquirers,  students  and  Christian  work- 
ers." A.  B.  SIMPSON, 

Pres.   Ch.  &  Mis'y.  Alliance. 

"The  book  entitled  'Jesus  is  Coming'  I  recommend  most 
heartily  to  every  prayerful  student  of  the  Word.  The  book 
is  known  to  have  been  a  blessing  to  many  and  I  believe  a 
prayerful  and  thoughtful  reader  will  get  much  blessing  in 
reading  it."  JOHN  WILLIS  BAEK, 

Pres.  Occidental  College, 
Los  Angeles,  Cal.< 

"The  first  reading  of  'Jesus  is  Coming'  marked  a  distinct 
epoch  in  my  own  life,  I  am  sincerely  anxious  that  the  book 
may  have  a  broadcast  distribution."  GILES  KELLOGG, 

Los  Angeles,  Cal. 

"The  book  'Jesus  is  Coming'  has  been  for  many  years  a 
great  inspiration  to  me  in  my  Christian  work.  The  sound  and 
exceedingly  lucid  arguments  of  the  author  in  connection 
with  the  various  scriptures  to  which  he  refers,  all  of  which 
point  most  clearly  to  the  consummation  of  'That  blessed  hope 
and  glorious  appearing  of  The  Great  God  and  Our  Saviour, 
Jesus  Christ.'  Titus  2:13,  will  I  am  sure  prove  an  inspira- 
tion to  all  who  with  open  heart  and  mind  peruse  its  pages, 
leading  them  to  a  greater  love  for  the  Bible,  to  holier  liv- 
ing, and  a  more  earnest  endeavor  to  work  while  it  is  day 
for  'the  night  .cometh  when  no  man  can  work.'  " 

D.  W.  POTTER,  Evangelist, 
Chicago,  Ills. 

"I  remember  very  well  when  I  first  saw  the  book  'Jesus 
is  Coming'  at  Northfield,  twenty  years  ago,  and  how  I 
studied  it  then.  That  summer  was  the  first  time  the  truth 
of  our  Lord's  return  came  to  me,  and  I  am  very  thankful 
for  the  thorough  reference  to  Scripture  for  the  better  under- 
standing of  that  truth,  and  the  firmer  faith  in  it  which  the 
little  book  gave  me."  ROBERT  E.  SPEER, 

Sec'y  Bd.  of  Foreign  Missions 
Presby.  Church  in  U.  S.  A. 


Textual  Index. 


Note. — In  some  instances'  a  brief  text  is  paged  under  the  ref- 
erence to  a  larger  one  which  includes  it.  Example ;  2  Thes.  1 :10 
may  be  found  under  2  Thes.  1 :7-10,  etc. 


Gen    1'2      ... 

Page                                       Page 

130         Isa-     7:14  23.      58 

Page 
Ezek.  21:25-27    ....  47 

••      i-.s    

57 

9:6-7    ..12,46,87 
11:2-4     130 

"     22:19-22     208 
"     34    93 

"      1:26    ... 

130 

"      2     

39 

11:4-9    ...92.158 
11:9-11     

"     34:11-28    168.  169 
171 
"     38    ,  93 

"      3-15 

,  .  .204 

»      6:24  

81 

54.     167,    211 
14:12-17    109,  112 
21:11-12   214 

"      6:3    

129 

"     36:1-38     

"     9-1-2   ... 

45 

171.    173,  174 
"     36:10-12.168.   169 
"     37     93 

"     9-5-6 

..222 

24:16-23   44 

"     12:1-7    .. 
"     13:14-17 
"     22 

.39,  162 
162 
96 

25:6-8     125 

25:9     65 

"     37:12-14     100 
"     37:1-28    .171,237 
"     37:15-22     169 
"     39:28-29     ....168 
Dan.  2:37-38     46 

26:19     100 

"      24 

.    .    .  .96 

26:20    80 

"     24:56-58 
Ex.     19:5-6     . 

131 

26:21     80 

146 

27:12-13     164 
28:15-22   108, 
149,  226 
32:1    46,92 

'      20:8     ... 

39 

"     2:44     ...121,227 
"     7:13-14    15,  23.  86 
"     7:18-27    87, 

'      33:16     .. 

146 

Lev    16      ... 

209 

'      23:15-16 
•      23:27-28 
'      25:4,  8-11 
'      26 

39 

33:17.    20-21.. 
12    121 

94     121     127 

39 
39,  223 

.78   208 

"     9-2    .  .                 39 

35:8-10    ..38,211 
40:9-11    141 

"     9:27     78  226 

"     11:36    109 

'      26:18-28 
•      26:44-45 
Num.  6:23-26 
"     23'7-9     . 

39 
163 

41:21-23       ...178 
42:8-9   178 
43:1-7     168 

"     11:45    Ill 

"    12:1     98 

209 

"     12:2     .  .56.  57,  62 
"     12:3     IS 

.104 

43:9-12   178 

"     23:9    ... 
Deut.  4:30-31 
"     30:1-10 
"     32:11    .. 

146.  175 
163 
163.  168 
211 

45:23-24       ...120 
48:10     176 

"     12:4  176.  212,  228 
Hosea  6:2    55 

49:18-23     169 
52:3     240 

"    13:14    100 

Joel  1:15    156 

"     33-2    ... 

.15   17« 

52:8     114 

"    3:16-17     ..66,  106 
Amos  4:12   13 

1  Sam   9-16  .  . 

46 

53:3     103 

"    10:24-25 
"    13:13    .. 

113 

53:11     132 

"    5:18-20    ..81,  166 
"    9:9     223 

46 

54:7-8     161 

2  Sam.  7:10-11 
1  Kl.  19:18    .. 

163 
156 

55:6    200 

"    9:11-15   164 

58:1    166 

"    9:15    169,235 
Mic.  4:1-7  120,  157,  169 
••     0:8     81 

Ezra  2:64-65    . 

211 

59:20     151 

"    7:13    ... 

167 

60:1-4     ...15.176 
60:15-16     169 
61:1-3    ...56,131 
65:9.  15,  22     ..80 
65-20                  159 

Job.  19:25-27 
Psa.  2:8-9    ... 

100 
..12-138 

"     7:18-20  165 

Nah.  2:3    211 

"      2:12    ... 

12 

Zeph.  1:14     55 

"     22 

23 

"     2:1-2    ...209,228 
"     3:19-20     165 
Hag.  2:6-7     66 

"     22:30     .  . 

161 

05:17-25     ....223 
66-8     ....     227 

"     24:6     ... 

161 

"     27:5     ... 

80        Jo 

.    3:1-18     46. 

Zech.  8:20-23     170 

"     31:20    .. 

80 

168,  203 
16:14-16   164 
22:29     179 

"     10:6-12    .  .80,  166 
174 
"     12:10-14    .81.  124 
157.  170.  227 
««     13:6    124 

"     57:1    ... 

80 

••     85    

92 

"     90    

39 

23:1-6    16,  46,  121 
23:3-8     ...93,  171 
25:11-12     39 
30:4-7      
174.    226,  241 
30:11     235 

"     102:16,    . 
15. 
"     110:1     .. 

'92.'  '175 
47 

"     13:8-9  80.     99. 
....157,    175,  208 
"     14:1-3     226 
"     14:1-21     .55,  106. 
115 
"     14:4-5    .15,76,77 
"      14:6-8   81 

"     122:8     .. 

104 

ProT.  30:11-14 
Isa.    1.26-27    . 

....161 
80 

31:9,    10  33, 
170     212 

"     2:1-21    .. 

....106, 
"     2:12,    20 
"     4:1-6    .. 
"     8:8-9    .  . 

157,  176 
55        Ez 
106.  115 
.  .    ..234 

32:36-44   93 
k.  7:1-9    174 

"      14:16     ...46.  170 
"     14:16-19     159 
Mai.  3:1-6   176 

11-19     .        .    .130 

20:40-44     ....165 

249 

250 


JESUS  IS  COMING. 


Mai. 

Page 
3:11-12    166 

Page 
Mat.  27:11     87 

P&£€) 

Lake  21:28.  18,  77,  227 

" 

4:1-3  ...142,  157, 

44     27:25     ..156,  174 

"     21:31-32..  77,   160 

214 

44     27:37    87 

44     21:34-36..  13,    17, 

Mat. 

2:2    87 

"     28:19    243 

78,  79,   99,   111, 

" 

3:2     83,88 

"     28:20     .  .  .29,  139 

..176,    207,    241 

•« 

3:7     200 

"     28:29     136 

4     22:19  >  34 

" 

4:17     83,88 

Mark  1:14-15     87 

4     22:16-18     ....   J4 

" 

5:8    15 

"     4:11     86 

4     22:28-30.  .83,    125 

" 

5:13-16    .151,  152 

"     6:30    141 

4     23:42  85 

" 

5:17-18     23 

"     8:15     153 

4     23:43     27 

" 

7:13-14    ..18,  119. 

"     8:34     135 

4     24:39  128 

120,  142 

"     9:1-10   

4     24:47-48     243 

" 

10:6    88 

85,   135,    138 

John  1:5-10.  ..151,    213 

" 

10:7   ..83,88,  141 

"     9:10     62.  63 

"     1:11     87,  124 

" 

10:15    105 

44     9:50     152 

"     1:12    119 

" 

11:3    200 

'     11:13-14     235 

44     3:3-5     126 

" 

11:16    160 

'     13:28    236 

"     3:17-19     102 

11 

11:20-24    105,  155 

'     13:30-31     160 

44     3:19-21..  151,    213 

" 

11:27    114 

•     13:32-37    63, 

44     3:28,   29.100,  203 

" 

12:30    150 

78,   227,  242 

44     3:34     131 

" 

12:41-42     105 

•      14:25  84 

44     3:36    52 

" 

13     95 

•     15:43  85 

44     5:24-25...  57,    102 

" 

13:10-11    .86,  152 

'     16:20     133 

44     5:28    57, 

" 

13:29-30     45 

Luke  1:10    209 

60,   102,    114 

" 

13:35-37   199 

"      1:26-38     11 

44     5:29    56, 

" 

13:39-40    .149,219 

"     1:31-33     

60,   62,   101 

" 

13:41-42,    44..  104 

20,    46,  120 

44     5:40    132 

121,  122,  125,  149 

"     2:26,    36-38...  212 

"     5:43  108,    123, 

" 

13:43     86 

"     4:16-21     56 

143,    149,   226 

" 

13:49-50     159 

"     4:22     114 

44     6:14     200 

" 

16:4     161 

"     8:10     86 

44     6;37,    39.119,  132 

" 

16:6-12     153 

"     9:10    141 

44     6:39    40,    44,    54 

" 

16:18     ...83,201 

"     9:27,     38  

54 

" 

16:26-27    ..13,28 

85,    135,  138 

44     6:63    126 

" 

16:28    ...135,  137 

"     9:41     161 

44     7:38     21 

" 

17:1-9  84,   123 

"     10:9-11    ..84,     88 

44     7:46    114 

•• 

18:7-9   155 

"     10:21  148 

44     8:23   120,  145 

" 

19:4-6     204 

"     11:28  177 

44     8:51-52     139 

41 

19:28     28,46, 

"     11:29-32  50, 

44     8:58    139 

53,  83,  86,  157 

51,   161 

"     9:4    65, 

" 

21:38    128 

"     12:1     153 

98,    119,  241 

" 

22:1-10    ...35,96 

44     12:32     ...94,  127 

44     10:27-28     119 

" 

22:44     87 

"     12:33  84 

"      12:26  29 

" 

23:13-39    124,  155 

"     12:35-40,     .65, 

44     13:15  202 

" 

23:37-39     .71,  87, 

69,   78,  227 

"     14:2-3     34 

88,  123 

"     12:37,     43  

44     14:3    11,    16,    29, 

" 

24:3    161,219 

116,  215 

30,    75,    201 

" 

24:14     ...79.132. 

"     12:45-46    .17,    64 

44     14:3,    18.    28.  29 

133,  228,  233,  243 

"     13:3     142 

44     14:6.    16..  11,  139 

• 

24:21  44,     79, 

"     13:20-21     153 

"     14:17-26.129.    136 

98,   223,  241 

"     13:23-25.130.    199 

44     14:23     ...29,   136 

" 

24:22    80,  99 

"     13:25-29     86 

44     14:26   31,  50 

" 

24:29-30     .13,43, 

"     14:14    27,     61 

"      15:15  137 

78,  79 

1     14:  15-24..  35,    125 

44     15:19-21    

" 

24:34,36    ...135, 

'     14:31-33     ....   14 

44,     90,  120 

160,  177 

'     16:22  27 

44     16:7     33,  136 

** 

24:35     23 

4     17:20-21..  87,    122 

"     16:8....  Ill,     129 

44 

24:36     135 

4     17:24-30   45 

44     16:13-15     

" 

24:37-51     65 

4     17:26-37..  45,     78 

31,    50,  129 

" 

24:42    ..5,  28,  63, 

4     17:34  99 

44     16:20-22     ....   34 

78,  242 

4     18:7     98 

44     16:33    34, 

" 

25:6    ..97 

4     18:8     ...  .22.  232 

44,    90,     145 

" 

25:10    ....65,76, 

4     19:11-27    

44     17:11-16     ....146 

143.  157,  226 

85,    86,  141 

44     17:14   ...  90,  145 

•' 

25:13     13,  63,  242 

44     20:20  123 

44     17:23    136 

" 

25:14-30     ....103 

44     20:35-36     .... 

44     17:24.29,    34,  128 

" 

25:31-46..  12,     29, 

27.    61,  159 

44     18:36     120 

104,  128,  175,  223 

44     21:24.  ...44,     173, 

44     21:18-23     26 

41 

25:42-44     69 

....209,   223,   236 

Acts  1:7     177 

" 

26:29    35,  84,  125 

41     21:25-31     

44     1:8    243 

*4 

26:64    28 

13,    207.  236 

44     1:9  33.  128 

TEXTUAL  INDEX. 


251 


Page 
AcU  1:10-11  11,  30,  77. 
128,  136,  201 
"  1:16  130 
"  2:5  133 
"  2:34-36  87 
"  2:41  51 
"  3:20-21  47 
44  3:26  88 
"  4;2  31,  61 
'  6:41  202 
•  7:14  51 
1  7:38  83 
•  7:51  129 
'  7:55  128 
•  8:4  133 
•  8:33  202 
•  9:5  128 
'  9:31  95 
•  10:41  63 
1  10:42-43..  14,  104 
•  13:34  ...63,  103 
4  13:46  88 
'  14:21-22  

Page 
Rom.  13:11  65,  210 
"  13:12  
,  ,88,  157,  214 
"  14:10-12.103.  120 
"  14:17  124 
"  16:20  204 
"  16:25-26  89 
1  Cor.  1:7  17 
"  1:21  ..    ..147 
•   2:9  205.  214 
'   2:10  60 
4   3:13-16  
...103.  131.  143 
•   4:5  29,  103 
4   4:15  96 
"  5:6-8  153 
"  6:2-3  
53.  104.  106 
"  6:19  131 
"  9:22  
119,  118,  199 
44  10:32  146,  172 
"  11:26  34 

Pag* 
Eph.  4:20  131 
"  4:30  
111,  129,  204 
"  6:8-11...  145.  146 
44  6:14-16...  60,  144 
"  5:20-28..  131,  144 
"  6:23-32.  ..16,  34, 
76,  88,  89,  90, 
205,  226 
"  6:25-27  
96,  129,  205 
"  6:26  16 
"  5:30-32.  .131,  204 
44  6:11-13  .102,  148 
Phil.  1:29  202 
"  2:5-11  202 
"  2:10-11  120 
"  2:15-16  
143,  151,  161 
44  3:8-11  ..62,  83 
41  3:11  ....27,  61 
14  3:20-21  6,  18, 

85,  137,  143 

12:12-27  ..16,  95 

28,  126,  144 

"  15:13-17..  16  77, 

....111,  114,  203 

Col.  1:6  134 

80  88  93  98 

•' 

13:12  114 

"  1:18  49 

157,  167,  173, 

" 

15:22-26  

44  1:23  ...132,  133 

209,  236 
"  17:10-11  32 

44 

26.  48,  99 
15:23,  54,  55 
.  26.  61 

"  1:24-27  
83.  89,  221 

**   2  •  K          148 

"  17:18  31 
"  17:23  147 
41  17:30-31  14, 
64,  104,  157 
"  18:6  88 
"  23:6-8  62 
"  24:15  56.  62 
"  27:37  51 
"  28:15  76 
"  28:28  88 

44  15:42-44  127 
"  15:45-49  .51,  126 
"  15:50  ..125,  127 
44  15:51-52.  .27,  28, 
....70,  127,  212 
"  15:54-55  
26.  27,  31 
"  15:53  127 
"  16:22  199 
2  Cor.  1:5-6  83 

44  2:12-13  .  .  .  .  52 
44  3:1-4  52,  120 
44  3:4-5  15,  94 
1  Thes.  1:9-10..  13,  14, 
113,  114,  118, 
157,  200 
44  2:19  18 
44  3:3    ,  ,  .44,  99 
44  3:9-10  64 
44  3'  13     14   75 

Rom.  1:4  63 
"  1:16.  .88,  96,  132 
"  1:32  121 
•  2:15-16  105 

" 

4:17-18  93 
5:4  27 
5:8  29 
5:10,  11.103,  119 

44  4:13-18,  48,  63, 
63,  70,  76,  77. 
..105,  201,  226 

•  2:29  172 
•  5:3-4  94 
•  6:13  60 
•  8:11-17..  127,  202 
•  8:15-18..  126,  145 
'  8:17-23  86, 

'•'• 

5:20  14,  145 
6:2..  .14.  102,  200 
6:14-18  
95,  131,  144 
7:1  146 
11:2..  16.  90,  226 

44  4:16,  16.  .61,  70 
"  4:16-17...  11,  13, 
28,  29,  63,  75, 
79,  80,  90,  110, 
111,  202.  208, 

....94,  128,  137 
"  8:19-23...  75,  77, 
...122.  215,  223 

Gal. 

11:14  148 
1:4.142,  143  148 
2:19-20  52 

44  4:18.17,  81,  110. 
111,  115,  131 

"  8:21-33...  92.  158 
"  8:23  18,  77 

,i 

4:19  90,  126 
4:24-31...  21.  121 

4  5:2  78,  79 

"  8:24-25  214 
1  8:32  27 
'  8--S4  33,  47 
•  9:3  172 

Eph. 

5:7-9  154 
1:3  203 
1:4-6  203 
1:13-14  204 

4  6:4-8  ...99,  156 
4  5:8-9  216 
4  5:9-10  Ill 

'  9:27  ....157,  172 

" 

1:20-21  203 

'  9:28  114, 
....120.  130,  160 
44  10:18  134 

;; 

1:22-23...  95,  137 
2:1  203 
2:6  52,  203 

44  6:23-24  ...5,  15 
2  Thes.  1:4-5  85 

"  11:5-7  

«< 

2:7  203,  221 

"  1:4-10  ...86,  93 

80,  156,  172 
"  11:14  118 

H 

2:10  126 
2:14-15  88 

44  1:5  137.  202 
44  1:6-10..  .12,13,44, 

"  11-15    ..  .. 

*< 

3:3-6  89 

75,  78,  82,  91, 

60   101,  173 

•« 

3:11  222 

..102.  138,  175 

"  11:17-28.166.  202 

" 

S'21        223 

44  1:7-8.  .13,  27,  44, 

"   11:20  ..130,  152 

" 

4:11-12  95 

99,  230 

"  11:25-28  

M 

4:12-13  .... 

44  2:1-8.  .52,  78,  99. 

124.  157,  17S 

88,  131,  204 

...107,  110,  112 

252 


JESUS  IS  COMING. 


Page 
2  Thes.  2:3-12.108,  231 
44     2:5.    15...  69,  144 
"     2:7-10    
112,    201,  208 
44     2:8             43,    99. 
Ill,    149,   176 
44     2:11     Ill 
1  Tim.  1:1     94 
44     1:17.66,    128,  222 
"     1:18    64 
"     4:1              96,  231 
44     4:1-3    45,  149 
"     6:12     64 
"     6:13-15    
12,    128,  138 
44     6-°0              .  ..us 

Heb.  11:35    .. 
44     11:39-40. 
44     12:22-24. 
44     12:26-27 
James  5:1-8... 
44     5:20    ... 
IPet.  1:3     ... 
14     1:5-13 
132, 
44     1:10-12 
44     1:11     ,,. 
44     1:13     ... 
44     1:25    ... 
44     2:9     
44     2:11 
44     2:21    ... 

Page 
,     81 
100,  203 
.21,     22 
66 
.88,   234 
,  .     119 
,.,142 

143,  214 

,,    .   89 
83 
.31,  156 
,     11 
146 
35 
202 

Page 
EOT.  2:25-17  12,    76 
44     3:3       ,      ,11,  242 
44     3:10.79,     91,  111 
44     3:12    22 
44     3:14-18    
,    ,  ,   95,    154,  232 
"     3:21     47,     54 
44     4:8    200 
44     5:6    128 
"     6:10-13     , 
46.    76,     94 
"     6:9-11      ..29,  100 
44     6:12-14                 81 
44     6:15-17    ..13.   81, 
123,    145 
44     7:9-10     132 

2  Tim.  1:8   

83 
64 

"     3:20     .  . 
51, 

160, 

199 

44     9:18      , 
44     11:10    . 

222 
98 

2:11-12 
128, 
2:i5 
3:1     ... 

137, 
149, 

•A 

115 
230 

44     3:22 
"     4:5     ,  .  .  . 
"     4:17-18 
"     6:4,    13 
27. 

134 

47 
104 
104 

143 

44     11:15 
86, 
"     11:18    . 
"     12:5    ,  . 
44     13:11-18 

124. 

224 
29 
138 
.51 

44 

3:12.  .44, 

85, 

90 

2  Pet 

1:10-11 
1:16-18 

.85, 

137 

63, 
44     14:6     .. 

100, 

109 

44 

3:16.50, 

115, 

177 

„ 

i' 

...85 
19...    . 

123, 
.19 

140 

47, 

134, 
44     14:11    . 

135, 

233 
223 

§1 

.29, 

..115 

177 

213 

44     14:13.  1 

5   ... 

M 

44     1:21     . 

.50, 

130 

...  .27, 

159, 

223 

45. 

115, 

156 

44     2:2-4 
44     2:3-9    . 

105, 
.18, 

148 
105 

44     16:3 
"     16:9-21 

51 
91 

44     4:8     104, 

271 

44     2:17 
44     3:1-2     .. 

156 
19 

44     16:15     . 
44     19:7-9 

..63, 

242 

Tit. 

2:13  

5 

35, 

44     3:1-10    . 
44     3:3-4.45, 

.91, 

160 
98 

.  .  ,  ,     35.    97, 
41     19:11-21     .103 

125 

« 

2:14    ... 

42, 

146 

44     3:5-12    . 
44     3:7  .... 

143, 
149 

243 
230 

...105, 
44     19:15-16 

128, 

77 

129 
138 

Phile 

.10    

.96 

:s 

8     . 

.39 

54 

44     19:20     . 

Heb. 

1:2     ....128. 

222 

4     3:9..  90. 

160, 

199 

106, 

140, 

149 

<• 

1:3    

.107 

* 

3 

10-12 

44     20    .... 

63 

M 

2:9    

.139 

.  .  .  .78, 

97, 

243 

"     20:1-3    . 

.121, 

151 

•  • 

2:14-15 

.158 

• 

.S 

13     ... 

223 

44     20:1-8 

37 

• 

3:8    .... 

.102 

• 

3 

14    ... 

...5, 

13 

44     20:4-14 

48 

« 

4:9    .... 

.  .  . 

.  39 

«« 

3 

18    ... 

55 

"     20:4-6    . 

,   52 

62- 

i 

4:12    ... 

.  68 

« 

n 

5-12     . 

IS 

100, 

103, 

157 

• 

4:i4     .. 

.128 

1  Job 

n 

2:1    ... 

33 

44     20:7-10 

10ft 

• 

6:2    ... 

.  62 

y 

15     ... 

145 

44     20:10-15 

< 

6:8    ... 

.142 

<< 

2 

15-17.. 

120, 

148 

103. 

105, 

224 

• 

6:18    .. 

.145 

" 

2 

18    ... 

107 

14     20:11     . 

223 

•  « 

7:24-28 

..33, 

47 

" 

•2 

22  ... 

107, 

112 

44     20:12-15 

62 

«« 

9:24-26, 

«« 

a 

2-3... 

14 

15, 

.101. 

106 

33, 

128, 

209 

..114, 

116, 

128 

44     21:2,   10  

•• 

9:28     .  . 

M 

4 

3     ... 

107 

"     22:3    .. 

121 

..5,     11, 

33. 

144 

<• 

4 

17    ... 

154 

44     22:5     .. 

y>.\ 

•• 

10:12-13 

.  87 

<• 

R 

19     .. 

142, 

14     22:7     .. 

58 

177 

14 

10:22-25 

.  35 

..146, 

148 

168 

44     22:16    . 

•• 

10:25... 

.84, 

88, 

2  Job 

n 

7.107, 

200 

"     22:17    . 

119 

115,     2 

D9, 

212, 

Jude 

r> 

.106 

44     22:19    . 

40 

213, 

227 

1 

4-15    .. 

..75 

92 

44     22:20     . 

M 

10:35-37 

.11, 

35, 

104, 

112 

208 

....120. 

131, 

160 

66,   70, 

160, 

209 

Rev. 

1 

:2,     11 

.140 

See     numerous     pas- 

" 

11:3     .. 

.221 

44 

1 

•3   .  .    , 

..17, 

177 

sages  quoted 

on  p 

iges 

<« 

11:5     .. 

.  .79 

81 

•< 

1 

:6    ... 

.224 

23    to    25,    7 

2    to 

74, 

« 

11:13     . 

•< 

1 

:7-8    .. 

,   28 

200 

102,    162    to 

167, 

180 

36. 

144 

222 

«< 

1 

.128 

to  181,   183  t< 

>  198 

and 

M 

11:19    . 

.  60 

" 

2 

:10    .. 

.   27 

218    to   221. 

14 


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